Mastering foreign combat
Namibian boxers have on many occasions come up short when fighting for world titles outside the country.
MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy founder Nestor Tobias says it is important for Namibian boxers to master the art of fighting away from home.
Namibians have over the years struggled to win big world title fights on foreign soil, with only a few going on to conquer the world.
Julius Indongo, Paulus Ambunda and Harry Simon are among those who have won world titles overseas.
Top boxers like Jeremiah Nakathila and Walter Kautondokwa have, however, failed in their bids to be crowned world champions away from home.
Tobias says exposure is an important aspect in the development of boxers, if they are to win world titles while fighting in their opponents' backyards.
“Our fighters need to master the art of winning away from home,” Tobias said.
The promoter said this following one of his boxers winning a World Boxing Federation (WBF) title in Angola last weekend.
Onesmus Nekundi scored a seventh round TKO victory over Antonio Joao Bento to win the WBF lightweight world title.
Tobias, who in the past called WBF belts 'Mickey Mouse' titles, said he used the opportunity to ensure that his boxer is exposed to the outside world.
The promoter vowed not to defend the title they won, because he feels there are bigger ones out there.
“The experience was good for Nekundi, fighting away from home, and against such an experienced opponent.
“I wish to reiterate that even though he won the title, we will not defend or promote it.
“Our only interest in this fight was for him to fight an experienced opponent and improve his record, and we have achieved that,” Tobias said.
The academy is now looking ahead to getting Nekundi fights to contest for World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) or World Boxing Council (WBC) titles.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
Namibians have over the years struggled to win big world title fights on foreign soil, with only a few going on to conquer the world.
Julius Indongo, Paulus Ambunda and Harry Simon are among those who have won world titles overseas.
Top boxers like Jeremiah Nakathila and Walter Kautondokwa have, however, failed in their bids to be crowned world champions away from home.
Tobias says exposure is an important aspect in the development of boxers, if they are to win world titles while fighting in their opponents' backyards.
“Our fighters need to master the art of winning away from home,” Tobias said.
The promoter said this following one of his boxers winning a World Boxing Federation (WBF) title in Angola last weekend.
Onesmus Nekundi scored a seventh round TKO victory over Antonio Joao Bento to win the WBF lightweight world title.
Tobias, who in the past called WBF belts 'Mickey Mouse' titles, said he used the opportunity to ensure that his boxer is exposed to the outside world.
The promoter vowed not to defend the title they won, because he feels there are bigger ones out there.
“The experience was good for Nekundi, fighting away from home, and against such an experienced opponent.
“I wish to reiterate that even though he won the title, we will not defend or promote it.
“Our only interest in this fight was for him to fight an experienced opponent and improve his record, and we have achieved that,” Tobias said.
The academy is now looking ahead to getting Nekundi fights to contest for World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Association (WBA), International Boxing Federation (IBF) or World Boxing Council (WBC) titles.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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