More hype added to Ninja vs Harry Simon
Boxing
Organisers of the anticipated exhibition boxing fight between former world champion Harry Simon and Paulus “Ninja” Shimweefeleni on 7 December have announced ticketing details as well as the venue – the Mercure Hotel in Windhoek.Download the Pst Mobile app to buy tickets, or visit their offices in person.
General access is N$200, or N$500 for a seat in the VIP area closer to the ring. Tables for 10 VIPs are sold at N$10 000.
At a press conference at the end of last week, it was further announced that the under-card will include a clash between unbeaten Namibian welterweights Harry Simon Junior (22 wins from 22 pro fights, 15 knock-outs) and Abed Shikongo (10 wins from 10 fight, 5 KOs). The pair are ranked the country's number one and two in the division, respectively.
In May, Shikongo won the World Boxing Association ( WBA) Pan African welterweight title courtesy of a technical knock-out in the sixth round over compatriot Alfeus “Mosquito” Shaanika, at the Roman Catholic Hall in Windhoek.
Shikongo has also held the national super welterweight belt when he unanimously beat Simeon Shafodimo in November 2022 – a title he held on to when he knocked out Stefanus Shimbonde in the second round in March 2023.
Harry Junior’s most recent fight was a TKO win against Serwada Sadam Mukasa of Uganda, when the pair met in the Kenyan town of Meru in March this year.
Harry Simon senior, former world title holder from August 1998 until 2002 and known as “The Terminator”, said on Thursday: “I’m a very good and dangerous fighter. Ninja knows. So let’s just go there and have fun and give the fans a great show.”
Shimweefeleni, a former gang leader who was released in March this year after serving 25 years in prison for murder and armed robbery, reiterated the upcoming fight’s theme “Ninja Against Crime”.
“I want to give my appreciation to Salute Boxing Academy and to my officers at the correctional facility. They are my creator, because in the past I was never the same, until they washed my brains. Now I can see clear that crime does not pay.”
Shimweefeleni refered to his foundation and his work speaking at troubled schools with “misbehaving” children at risk of going on the wrong path.
“I have this message to the society that says, in our country there is a weapon against crime ... it is me.”
Shimweefeleni also gave credit to his coaches Tobias Nashilongo and Elifas “Smacky” Namudjebo, “who wake me up early and tell me, Harry is waiting for us ... (pointing to Simon) ... that young man over there.
“I am glad he told us that he is the best fighter because I don’t want to fight somebody who is at a lower (level) ... I have some hard punches that he needs to see on that day.”
Other undercard match-ups will include Jonas Erastus against Jonathan Kasheeta, Merven Nguno vs Salom Petrus, and Fillemon Ngutenanye (Namibia Sportsman of the Year 2023) vs Festus Simon.