WBC Silver Light Heavyweight title contender Wilberforce Shihepo says he is unmoved by allegations of graft that led to his arrest last week and the fact that his fight against Johnny Muller has been moved from 15 February to 1 March.
Currently out on bail, Shihepo assured The Namibian Sport yesterday that his preparations for the highly anticipated showdown with the South African remain firmly on track.
The fight is set for the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.
“It [postponement] is nothing. I’m still the same. I’m still following the same programme. I know I just have to keep training,” said Shihepo, who is no stranger to controversy.
“For me, it is just an opportunity to be getting stronger. They [supporters] musn’t worry. I’m fine and I am focused for the fight.”
The fighter, who works for the Office of the Prime Minister, where he is employed as a control officer of the San Development Project, declined to comment on allegations that he used a government fuel card to refuel his private vehicle levelled against him by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
“I don’t want to say anything. There is no evidence against me. The investigation is not yet finished but already I see the story was taken to the papers,” he said.
When announcing the postponement yesterday, Shihepo’s camp said the fight had to be put off due to “structural damages suffered at the venue and the promoter needed more time to sort out those issues.”
The change, however, means that Shihepo’s ‘big fight’ will take place on exactly the same night as Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses’ WBO International lightweight title fight against Argentina’s Cristian Rafael Coria at the Olufuko Cultural Centre in Outapi.
“This is not a problem because we are a big and experienced team, made easier by the fact that we have the luxury of MTC’s capable team who are experts in planning and organising, so this will be a piece of cake for us,” promoter Nestor Tobias said in a statement.
“This only means that we will now have a double celebration on the 1st March. Both boxers are in excellent shape and we look forward to making history on the 1st of March,” he added.
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