A night of vengeance

Jeremiah Nakathila and his camps say they have assessed all the risks ahead of his battle with Peter Pambeni of Zimbabwe at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on 23 November.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) global international lightweight champion has put his title on the line and risks slipping down the rankings against a boxer who has already beaten three Namibians in his career.

Pambeni has a perfect record on Namibian soil, having beaten Junius Amunyela, Nakathila's trainer Siegfried 'SBK' Kaperu and Albinius 'Danny Boy' Felesianu over the years. Nakathila said yesterday he is not frightened of Pambeni and has a plan for him.

“I am ready to punish Pambeni and avenge what he has done to my fellow countrymen.

“I have been training very hard even, before this fight was announced, and that is why I am confident in what I can do on the day.

“The fans must just come in their numbers to watch me end my year in style,” Nakathila said.

The boxer's last fight was in April, when he outclassed Zoltan Kovacs of Hungary at the Windhoek Country Club Resort, winning via a technical knockout.

Nakathila boasts a record of 19 fights, with 18 wins and one defeat in his professional career.

Rated number three in the WBO junior lightweight division, Nakathila is facing a heavy test as he comes up against a boxer who has hordes of experience. The Namibian has a chance to move up the rankings if he emerges victorious on the night.

A win for Nakathila can also make him a mandatory challenger for the world title.

However, he could lose it all if he gets beaten by the WBO Africa lightweight champion, Pambeni.

Nakathila's promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias is, however, confident.

“Yes, we know very well that this is not going to be an easy fight for Nakathila, because he is coming up against a boxer who has already beaten three Namibians.

“The risk is there, but we do have to take risks if you want to become a world champion.

“Nakathila is in a class of his own and that is why I am confident that he will deliver positive results on the day,” Tobias said.

The Zimbabwean, who has already fought 23 times in his professional career, has a record of 17 wins, three loses and three draws.

MTC corporate communications manager, John Ekongo, is pleased by the fact that the company has been able to support boxing over the years. Ekongo is adamant that MTC's involvement in boxing has helped elevate many lives.

“We have become slaves of success, because of what we have been doing to the lives of many of these boxers.

“As a sponsor, we are not always happy when we do not have a world champion.

“We will, however, continue to create a platform for young men and women.

“Corporate Namibia must join us and support the dreams of many of these young boxers,” Ekongo said.

There will be nine undercard fights on the night.

One of the interesting match-ups will be Harry Simon Jnr against Malawi's Limbani Chikapa in an eight-round junior welterweight fight.

General tickets are available at Computicket and the Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy head office and are selling for N$200, while VIP tables for 10 are going for N$10 000 each.



The other fights are as follows:

Charles Shinima vs Thembani Mhlanga (Zimbabwe).

Paulinus 'John John' Paulus vs Enok Musambudzi (Zimbabwe).

Philipus Ngitumbwa vs Wiseman Tshuma (Zimbabwe).

Paulus Amavila vs Michael Kambunga.

Abed Shikongo vs David Haufiku.

Philipus Shaanika vs Nashilongo Theofelus.

Paulus Aileka vs Wanangula Wilhem.

Joseph Abel vs Salatiel Moses.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa