Trainer and promoter of the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing & Fitness Academy, Nestor Tobias said that Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses is in the best shape of his life ahead of his title defence against Josenilson dos Santos of Brazil on the 4th October 2014.
“The last time I saw him so sharp was between 2006 and 2009 – his movement, speed and power has improved a great deal and seeing him in action in the gym reminds me of the Hitman that won the world title in Japan. It is encouraging to see a boxer in such good shape because he has inspired everybody else in the gym ahead of this crucial fight,” Tobias said.
Tobias recalled the time when he launched the Hitman’s career.
“He started boxing in the year 2000 and was one of my first recruits when I launched the MTC Sunshine Boxing Academy. He could not throw a jab, straight punch, uppercut, left hook or move like Muhammed Ali but I saw great potential and talent in him and that is why I continued investing in his development just like I did with other boxers,” he said.
The Hitman has since become one of the world’s finest boxers with different titles to his name. In 2001 he became the Namibian national champion and represented Namibia internationally at amateur level. He then turned pro in 2002 and achieved a lot by winning the WBA Pan African lightweight title, the WBA International title, the WBA world title and he is now the WBO International champion rated number two in the world and considered a class fighter. He was undefeated for ten years before he lost his title to Miguel Acosta in 2010.
Other significant achievements include being Namibia’s reigning Sportsman of the Year.
Moses will be defending his title in the main bout at the upcoming “Final Punch to the World Title” boxing extravaganza.
“This fight means everything to him because it will definitely give him an opportunity to challenge for the world title, seeing that the current champion Terence Crawford will defend his title for the last time (in November) against current number one Reymundo Beltran after which he plans to move to a higher weight class. This means the title will be vacant come November and that makes this fight so significant,” Tobias said.
“I have no doubt that our hard work will finally pay off. The Hitman looks extremely dangerous, he is fast, fit and importantly much more focused and he can beat anyone in the world right now. He has a tremendous hunger for success and as things are going now, the sky is the limit,” he added.
Moses said he was confident of victory.
“I am hungry for the world title and I want to do it for my people and my country, so I don’t care whether you are from Japan, USA or Brazil, I will just knock you out to make my nation proud. I did it before in South Africa, Ukraine, Botswana and Zambia. When I was in Japan for the world title they said they did not know where Namibia is on the world map, but after the fight everyone knew were Namibia was,” he said.
“I want to thank my team and my sponsor MTC and all my boxing fans that have been there for me even after I lost my first fight. I feel great, my promoter has kept his faith in me and that is why he keeps pushing me for big things for our country,” he added.
The fight will take place at the Independence Arena on 4 October and will feature a star-studded lineup that will see the likes of Bethuel “Tyson” Ushona, Vikapita “Beastmaster” Meroro, and many others in action against world-class opponents.
VIP tickets are selling for N$500 per person while standard tickets sell for N$100. Tickets are available at Computicket countrywide.
