The Beast takes centre stage

Matheus Heita says capturing the WBA Pan African featherweight title will set him up for bigger fights.

The MTC Sunshine Academy prospect will headline the 13th Together As One boxing showcase in Windhoek on 17 August, when he faces South Africa’s Thato Bonakoane.

A victory will improve his record to 12-0, as well as his global rating, while guaranteeing a first international strap.

The 26-year-old is the latest in a long line of potential world beaters that Sunshine is grooming to take up the baton from previous Namibian world champions to emerge from the stable.

“My last three fights, I knocked out my opponent. I worked very hard to get this chance. Come 17 August, I’ll do my best and be champion,” Heita, a man of few words, says.

Main supporting act Jeremiah Nakathila continues his redemption mission when he fights Zimbabwe’s Tandenda Buningu in an international lightweight matchup.

“It’s always good news to hear that I’m fighting. My job is to train and my promoter puts up the fight. I’m looking forward to the fight and putting on a good show,” Nakathila says.

His trainer and promoter Nestor Tobias still believes Nakathila can cut it at elite level, and anticipates another opportunity to challenge the top names in his division will present itself.

Once on the verge of a world title shot in 2022, Nakathila lost his way after two high-profile defeats to American prospects last year. He bounced back with a routine unanimous points win over Evans Husayiwhevhu of Zimbabwe in March.

“Lowkey is one of our top boxers in Africa. He fought in Las Vegas three times. He won and did not only lose there, that’s why we’re giving him another opportunity so that he can go back up on the world ratings,” says Tobias.

“He’s a good investment for our country because soon he will be invited to fight there again or somewhere else.”

Also on the card is a heavyweight newcomer Pieter Kotze, who will take on Jonathan Groenewald.