The upcoming WBO international super bantamweight title bout between Fillipus Nghitumbwa and Chinese champion DeKang Wang will be dedicated to the late head of state Hage Geingob, says MTC Sunshine Academy promoter Nestor Tobias.
Initially billed as the annual Independence Boxing Bonanza, the event was rebranded to the ‘Legacy Fight: Tribute to Dr Hage G Geingob’ and is penciled for 27 April at Ramatex in Windhoek.
Remembering the late president, Tobias says Geingob was very instrumental as he sponsored both him and former world champion Harry Simon financially and otherwise.
“He was actually our sponsor and people did not know that. The late president was our number supporter, therefore, we will continue honouring his legacy through boxing,” says Tobias.
“We had to postpone the initial World Boxing Organisation (WBO) regional super bantamweight fight between Fillipus ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa against Zhong Liu because the Namibian nation was mourning the passing of Geingob.”
Tobias says the title fight against Liu could not take place because the Chinese fighter pulled out due to medical reasons and was replaced by his compatriot.
“However, we have found a better and highly rated Asian champion DeKang Wang… and will be a great opponent for Nghitumbwa,” he says.
The veteran boxing promoter adds that for Nghitumbwa to get a shot at a world title, he must work hard and go through the process to finally be a mandatory challenger.
Wang’s camp is expected to arrive 10 days before fight night, which will feature 20 fights including Namibian amateurs Pieter Kotze from the Chiappini Boxing Club against compatriot Phillipus Shikongo.
“The bonanza will serve not only as a tribute to the late president but also as a symbol of unity and a shared purpose. To make this event a success, we are calling on corporate sponsors, individuals and sympathisers who support the academy to lend their support.”
General tickets, available at Webtickets, cost N$50, with VIP tickets costing N$200 each and a table for 10 costing N$20 000
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