Tobias supports amateur boxers
• Boxing stable ‘invests in community’
The MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing Academy is not only about hosting professional fights, but aims to groom amateur boxers too.
Local boxing promoter Nestor Tobias says even the best professional boxers started at amateur level, and this is why his stable hosted an amateur boxing tournament in Windhoek's Grysblok over the weekend.
“The likes of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones have a good background of amateur boxing. We want to work with regional promoters to make this a success. Sometimes the promoter can have funds, but if the federations are not in connection with promoters, we can’t use the funds," he said of the tournament.
“We fight overseas and as promoters, we get some cuts and want to invest back in the community, but we want to do it effectively. If you see some of these boys, they fight like seniors. We have spotted a lot of them and we want to work together to groom them," Tobias said, adding that they also want to help the national team by providing quality boxers.
"We want to do this all over the country. Next, we want to head to Omaruru, Gobabis and Grootfontein. We want to celebrate boxing talent and to unearth gems," he added.
A winner's mentality
A young boxer from After School Centre, Rebelo Doeseb, said he fought a level above his opponent. He added that he looks up to American boxer Shakur Stevenson and wants to achieve the best in boxing.
There was also a bout for female fighters, which saw Lakeisha van Wyk emerging victorious.
Van Wyk - who fights out of the Legends Academy in Rehoboth - said it was her fourth fight since she started boxing.
“This is my fourth fight. Before the fight, I was nervous and anxious. But I told myself to go into it with the mentality to win.”
She added that she draws inspiration from Robert 'Rocky' Balboa - also known by his ring name The Italian Stallion - a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the 'Rocky' film series.
To young female upcoming boxers, she said: “I don’t believe that girls can’t do certain sports. Girls are powerful. I want girls to stand with me and do whatever sport that they want”.
Results:
Juniors
Sartial Junior won against Rodrigues Bock
Halweendo Leonel lost against Lulu Afrikaner
Junior Gawanab lost against Shooya Nakathila
Lazarus Petrus lost against Joas Shuudifonya
Iyambo Gideon lost against Deli Twakala
Youth boxers (51kg)
Simson Gawanab defeated Gefrey Mwateuvi
Youth boxers (54 kg)
Mike Junior defeated Eliser Mwahafa
Erastus Ruben defeated Amon Likius
Rebelo Doeseb won against Asser Hashipapa
Fillemon Shimoshili lost against Thomas Ishimbwa
Female boxers
Naanda Shalongo lost to Lakeisha van Wyk
Seniors
Philips Hauseb (best boxer) defeated Amukwa Frans
Matias Shifidi lost against Veiko Shimbonde
Micksen Mweshohange defeated Jesaya Mbepo
Paulus Paulus lost against Naftal Naftal
Tobias Phillipus lost against Hifival Shikongo
Elifas Shailemo won by walkover
Simon Sheehama lost to Linekela Kandowa
Paulus Benny lost against Daniel Kalunga
Lazarus Jacob won by walkover
Simeon Edward vs Paulus Iipinge won by walkover
Alfeus Modino was beaten by Vaino Hangalo
Pieter Kotze beat Mathews Nangolo.
“The likes of Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones have a good background of amateur boxing. We want to work with regional promoters to make this a success. Sometimes the promoter can have funds, but if the federations are not in connection with promoters, we can’t use the funds," he said of the tournament.
“We fight overseas and as promoters, we get some cuts and want to invest back in the community, but we want to do it effectively. If you see some of these boys, they fight like seniors. We have spotted a lot of them and we want to work together to groom them," Tobias said, adding that they also want to help the national team by providing quality boxers.
"We want to do this all over the country. Next, we want to head to Omaruru, Gobabis and Grootfontein. We want to celebrate boxing talent and to unearth gems," he added.
A winner's mentality
A young boxer from After School Centre, Rebelo Doeseb, said he fought a level above his opponent. He added that he looks up to American boxer Shakur Stevenson and wants to achieve the best in boxing.
There was also a bout for female fighters, which saw Lakeisha van Wyk emerging victorious.
Van Wyk - who fights out of the Legends Academy in Rehoboth - said it was her fourth fight since she started boxing.
“This is my fourth fight. Before the fight, I was nervous and anxious. But I told myself to go into it with the mentality to win.”
She added that she draws inspiration from Robert 'Rocky' Balboa - also known by his ring name The Italian Stallion - a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the 'Rocky' film series.
To young female upcoming boxers, she said: “I don’t believe that girls can’t do certain sports. Girls are powerful. I want girls to stand with me and do whatever sport that they want”.
Results:
Juniors
Sartial Junior won against Rodrigues Bock
Halweendo Leonel lost against Lulu Afrikaner
Junior Gawanab lost against Shooya Nakathila
Lazarus Petrus lost against Joas Shuudifonya
Iyambo Gideon lost against Deli Twakala
Youth boxers (51kg)
Simson Gawanab defeated Gefrey Mwateuvi
Youth boxers (54 kg)
Mike Junior defeated Eliser Mwahafa
Erastus Ruben defeated Amon Likius
Rebelo Doeseb won against Asser Hashipapa
Fillemon Shimoshili lost against Thomas Ishimbwa
Female boxers
Naanda Shalongo lost to Lakeisha van Wyk
Seniors
Philips Hauseb (best boxer) defeated Amukwa Frans
Matias Shifidi lost against Veiko Shimbonde
Micksen Mweshohange defeated Jesaya Mbepo
Paulus Paulus lost against Naftal Naftal
Tobias Phillipus lost against Hifival Shikongo
Elifas Shailemo won by walkover
Simon Sheehama lost to Linekela Kandowa
Paulus Benny lost against Daniel Kalunga
Lazarus Jacob won by walkover
Simeon Edward vs Paulus Iipinge won by walkover
Alfeus Modino was beaten by Vaino Hangalo
Pieter Kotze beat Mathews Nangolo.
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