Top Namibian boxers Jon Jon Ndjolonimus and Jeremiah ‘Low Key’ Nakathila will both face highly rated international opponents abroad over the next few months.
Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias yesterday announced that Nakathila will fight Abdula Mason of the United States in Norfolk, Virginia on 7 June, while Ndjolonimus will fight Simon Zachenhuber of Germany in Heidelberg, Germany on 19 July.
Both opponents are undefeated and victories for the Namibian pugilists will be a huge boost for their careers.
Mason is still only 21 years old, but he’s one of America’s hottest prospects with a professional record of 18 wins and 16 knockouts. In his last fight just three weeks ago on 25 April he was in tremendous form as he sent Carlos Ornelas of Mexico to the canvas three times before winning on a sixth round technical knockout.
Tobias said they both his boxers earned their opportunities.
“These fights don’t just come from out of the blue – you have to earn it. No one will just call you to go and collect a cheque overseas, but our boxers have earned it. In boxing you earn stars, so if you have more than three stars you are a world class boxer and these guys have more than three stars,” he said.
“Mason is a top prospect and one of the most dangerous boxers in the world with a lot of power and talent. Low Key has come a long way but he still has a lot left in the tank, and he can still go far. He’s training twice a day, he just came back from the gym now tobehere,” he added.
“He lost his last fight in the USA but after that he got three impressive wins and that’s also why he got this fight. So he is ready – he still has three weeks to prepare and I’m sure he will be in great shape come the 7th of June.
It’s not the first time he will fight in the United States, and it’s just about his second home when it comes to boxing,” he said.
Nakathila, who has a record of 26 wins and four losses, said he was looking forward to the fight.
“I’m very happy to hear that I’m fighting again. Ive been fighting in the USA for a while now so there’s nothing to intimidate me when it comes to a fight of this magnitude,” he said.
“I’m preparing well and working hard with my coaches SBK Kaperu and Nicky Natangwe as well as with my sparring partners in the gym. There’s no doubt that I am ready, and for the remaining time I will just go and monitor a few things and maintain my weight. I’m in top shape, I’m looking forward to this fight and I still need to prove a point that I can fight at this level,” he added.
Zachenhuber, meanwhile, is also undefeated with a pro record of 26 wins and 16 knockouts. He won the IBF European super middleweight title in October 2023 and has defended it on four occasions.
Ndjolonimus is also undefeated with a record of 19 wins and 17 knockouts and a huge battle can be expected in the international super middleweight fight, which according to Tobias will be for a title that still has to be determined.
“Jon Jon is rated number four in the world by the WBO and now he has got a chance to go and demonstate his boxing skills in Germany Zachenhuber, who is also undefeated. The fight will be for a regional title, maybe the WBC international, the WBO International, or the WBO global title, they still have to confirm the title but it will be over 12 rounds,” he said.
“This guy is undefeated but he’s beatable, we studied him and we know that Jon Jon can break through there, and a win there will give him an opportunity to fight for the world title,” he added.
Ndjolonimus said he is working hardand will be in top shape.
“It’s a big opportunity for me and we have enough time – it’s a good fight for the whole of Namibia and for Africa at large, as we are one,” he said.
“Now I’m just working together with my coaches and my sparring partners to be in top shape so that we have no excuses. We have to be ready and once we are going there no doubt we are going for a war and to bring the victory back home to Namibia,” he said.
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