Controversial, dramatic end to boxing bonanza
Ndjolonimus, Shinima remain undefeated
The controversial end to Charles Shinima's fight on Saturday night at the Windhoek Country Club could have cost the WBO Africa welterweight champion his title.
In a slow-burning non-title middleweight boxing fight, Namibia's Paulinus ‘John John’ Ndjolonimus defeated Malawi's Dickson Saidi by technical knockout (TKO) in the fourth round.Saidi was already in trouble in the earlier rounds, trying to cope with the Namibian’s powerful punches. After being knocked down with a vicious left hook to the face in round four, the Malawian settled on his knee during the referee’s count and shook his head to indicate that he had had enough.
According to records, Saidi only has 10 fights: 5 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw. The organisers of the event stated that he has 12 fights, seven wins, four losses and one draw.
Ndjolonimus said the fight wasn’t bad, only that his opponent wasn’t qualified to fight him and was afraid to even touch him. "I just fought to be active," he added.
Promoter Nestor Tobias explained that Saidi was a late replacement, and he was cleared by his boxing commission to fight ‘John John'.
"Anyone you put in front of this giant, the result will be the same," said Tobias.
Five rounds
In the main curtain-raiser, Charles ‘Super Shine’ Shinima’s fight against Angola’s Henriques Lando left tongues wagging after the Namibian was awarded the result in the fifth round through a TKO.
In the scheduled 10-round fight, Shinima had the better of the first four rounds as he landed punches to Lando’s body. The Namibian showed much class and precision, landing blow after blow on the visitor.
However, in the fifth round, he paid a huge price for overconfidence. Showboating to the crowd after stunning the Angolan with an uppercut, Shinima got caught with a straight right in the face and went to the canvas for the first time in his pro-career.
Upset
As the two boxers fumbled to the ground, with a dazed Shinima clutching on the Angolan’s leg, the Namibian barely managed to survive the round, having also been hit by an accidental headbutt during the final exchange.
Shinima was given considerable time for treatment for a cut above his right eye as round six never got started, with the Angolan camp looking very expectant. But the judges awarded the fight to the Namibian by technical decision based on the scoring of the first four rounds.
This decision was not well received by Lando or his corner, as the Angolan refused to leave the ring and demanded answers from the judges as he believed he was robbed. He had to be carried out of the hall by a security guard.
Had Ndjolonimus or Shinima lost, their WBO Africa titles would have been declared vacant.
Undercards
In earlier fights on the undercard, featherweight Fredrick Nghutunanye beat Benjamin Dula via unanimous decision (four rounds).
Sam ‘Peri Peri’ Mathews beat Stefaus Fabianus in their featherweight fight, while Silas Shanguandja got the better of Edward Mbango in their super featherweight fight.
Martin Mukungu won his featherweight bout against Linekela Nghifindaka by TKO.
The junior lightweight six-round fight between Onesmus Nekundi and Gerson Vaeta was ruled a no-contest due to bleeding from an accidental headbutt.
Nestor Thomas won his bantamweight fight against Lamek Fabian.
Junior welterweight prospect Paulus Amavila won his fight against Joseph Shikukutu, while Immanuel Mungandjela beat Nicanor Halweendo via TKO when the referee stopped the contest.