‘The Beast’ grows bigger
• Ready to tackle featherweight
Mateus 'The Beast' Heita says he has his sights set on dominating the featherweight division as he enters a heavier weight class than before.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisawindhoewk
Namibian boxing sensation, Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita, is confident of unleashing his beast mode in the featherweight division this year.
In 2022, Heita was stripped off his WBO Africa super bantamweight title after failing to make the weight on the scale in October.
It was after that that the boxer realised he needed to move up the weight scale and fight in a different division.
“The problem is that when you are growing heavier and still fighting in a lighter division, it means that you always have to lose so much weight and energy before a fight just to make the weight,” he explained during an interview on the Sport Wrap daily TV show.
“It is something that I did not want to do anymore because it is also not that healthy, and that is why I opted to go up into the featherweight division,” Heita said.
New challenges to face
Moving up the weight division means that the punches often become heavier and harder.
Heita is, however, not troubled by the phenomenon given the capabilities he feels he possesses as a boxer.
The 25-year-old says he is well aware of the kinds of challenges he will face, and he trusts that his MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Promotions coaching team will give him the proper guidance.
“This also changes my hitting strategy because I need to work more on my power punches, because the guys in that division are stronger.”
Impressive work
Heita began his professional career in 2018 when he made his debut against Elifas Kambunga in November of that year.
At the age of 25, Heita has already claimed two international titles and one local title in the super bantamweight division.
He has held the Namibian super bantamweight title as well as the WBA Pan Africa title.
The boxer also held the WBO Africa super bantamweight title.
He currently boasts a career record of eight wins, of which four came by knockout in eight professional fights.
New beginnings
Heita last fought on 29 October, in what was supposed to be his title defence fight, which eventually turned out to be an exhibition for him after failing to make the weight.
“That day was difficult for me because Hassan Milanzi knew he would get something out of the fight if he had won, while I knew I was not going to get anything.
“This means that he fought harder because he wanted the win so bad, but I managed to beat him at the end of the day.”
He, however, hopes to have more fighting opportunities in the featherweight division.
“I trust that the promoter, Nestor Tobias, will secure me a few fights just to build my rankings in the division.
“I am not sure how many I might fight this year, but I believe it could be around four fights,” Heita noted.
Starting anew
The featherweight division hosts some dangerous boxers, like the likes of Rey Vargas and Alberto Lopez.
It is a division Heita hopes to dominate in the near future, provided he gets off on the right track.
“I am right now not looking at the big guys because I still have to work my way up to get their attention.
“At this moment, I will just take on the guys that come with the aim of gaining points on the ranking table.
“I know that a bigger opportunity will present itself in the future,” he said.
Namibian boxing sensation, Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita, is confident of unleashing his beast mode in the featherweight division this year.
In 2022, Heita was stripped off his WBO Africa super bantamweight title after failing to make the weight on the scale in October.
It was after that that the boxer realised he needed to move up the weight scale and fight in a different division.
“The problem is that when you are growing heavier and still fighting in a lighter division, it means that you always have to lose so much weight and energy before a fight just to make the weight,” he explained during an interview on the Sport Wrap daily TV show.
“It is something that I did not want to do anymore because it is also not that healthy, and that is why I opted to go up into the featherweight division,” Heita said.
New challenges to face
Moving up the weight division means that the punches often become heavier and harder.
Heita is, however, not troubled by the phenomenon given the capabilities he feels he possesses as a boxer.
The 25-year-old says he is well aware of the kinds of challenges he will face, and he trusts that his MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Promotions coaching team will give him the proper guidance.
“This also changes my hitting strategy because I need to work more on my power punches, because the guys in that division are stronger.”
Impressive work
Heita began his professional career in 2018 when he made his debut against Elifas Kambunga in November of that year.
At the age of 25, Heita has already claimed two international titles and one local title in the super bantamweight division.
He has held the Namibian super bantamweight title as well as the WBA Pan Africa title.
The boxer also held the WBO Africa super bantamweight title.
He currently boasts a career record of eight wins, of which four came by knockout in eight professional fights.
New beginnings
Heita last fought on 29 October, in what was supposed to be his title defence fight, which eventually turned out to be an exhibition for him after failing to make the weight.
“That day was difficult for me because Hassan Milanzi knew he would get something out of the fight if he had won, while I knew I was not going to get anything.
“This means that he fought harder because he wanted the win so bad, but I managed to beat him at the end of the day.”
He, however, hopes to have more fighting opportunities in the featherweight division.
“I trust that the promoter, Nestor Tobias, will secure me a few fights just to build my rankings in the division.
“I am not sure how many I might fight this year, but I believe it could be around four fights,” Heita noted.
Starting anew
The featherweight division hosts some dangerous boxers, like the likes of Rey Vargas and Alberto Lopez.
It is a division Heita hopes to dominate in the near future, provided he gets off on the right track.
“I am right now not looking at the big guys because I still have to work my way up to get their attention.
“At this moment, I will just take on the guys that come with the aim of gaining points on the ranking table.
“I know that a bigger opportunity will present itself in the future,” he said.
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