Tobias lines up top boxers
Boxing
The MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy has launched its next “Your Vote Counts” professional boxing bonanza taking place at Windhoek Country Club on 16 November.The main fight will see Paulinus “John John” Ndjolonimus facing undefeated Ghanaian super middleweight Abubakar Mubarak for the WBO Africa title, while Matheus Heita and Jeremiah Nakathila will also be prominent Namibian fighters on the under-card.
Promoter Nestor Tobias said he has come up with the boxing event in order to encourage many registered voters to come in their numbers for the presidential and national assembly elections taking place in November.
“We have a big card of top boxers who will be in action on 16 November at the Windhoek Country Club.
“I know that the elections have paved way for this country and that is why we are hosting this competition – to help promote awareness about the importance of voting, as well as motivating the general public,” Tobias said.
The promoter expressed excitement over the expected quality of the fights and the boxers.
He believes the night will be filled with action and top drama, given the lineup that has so far been revealed.
“All these guys fighting here are top-rated boxers and I am sure they will be able to deliver given their records.
“A guy like John John is rated number four in the world and can actually even improve on that if he beats the undefeated Mubarak.
“Heita has also really done well in his career and also remains undefeated as a professional boxer.
“We also have a guy like Jeremiah Nakathila who is a world-rated boxer that has fought in Las Vagas on several occasions,” Tobias said.
The promoter also lauded their main sponsor MTC and co-sponsor PstBet for keeping boxing events going regularly through their sponsorships.
Tobias encourages other companies to also sponsor boxing, as this will help the sport grow.
Main fight
Ndjolonimus currently boast a record of 18 wins in his 18 professional fights since his 2015 debut, with 16 of them coming by knockout (89%).
He is widely regarded among the hardest-hitting punchers the country has produced in the heavier weight classes.
As time catches up, the 37-year-old is hoping to push towards the number one spot in the super middleweight category in order for him to become a mandatory challenger for the world title. Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez currently holds the WBC, WBO and WBA titles in the weight class.
“I am ready for this fight and would like to invite all the fans to come in their numbers to watch me fight.
“I will also like to thank all the sponsors that have contributed to my career and the promoter that has made sure I get to where I am now.
“It is also important to encourage all registered Namibian voters to come in numbers and vote during the elections,” Ndjolonimus said.
His younger opponent, 26-year-old Abubakar Mubarak, remains undefeated as a professional boxer. The Ghanaian has won 12 times and has already proven to have a respectable knockout record (nine, 75 percent).
It will be the Ghanaian’s first professional fight outside his home country, while Ndjolonimus is yet to fight a professional bout outside Namibia.
Tickets for the event are selling for N$200, while a table for ten VIPs is selling for N$20 000.
Heita and Nakathila also expressed their readiness towards their respective fights, while Tobias promises to reveal more of the under-card fights in the days to come.