Boxer ‘Energy’ to host End of Year boxing bonanza

• By Michael Uugwanga

ONE of the country’s best pound-to-pound boxer, Philippe ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa will be hosting his first amateur boxing championship on December 30 in his home village of Ongenga in the Ohangwena Region.

Nghitumbwa, who in a space of few years has established himself as one of the world’s best boxer, is currently ranked in the top 10 of the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Super-Bantamweight division, with a record of 13 fights, 12 wins and one defeat.

His only defeat was in 2017, against fellow Namibian Jonas Matheus, the year he made his professional debut in Otjiwarongo.

Speaking to Confidente this week, the soft-spoken hard-hitting boxer said the aim of hosting the tournament was to plough back to the communities and also to help uplift amateur boxing that has for many years been in the doldrums.

He also said the tournament would be hosted twice a year in order to give amateur boxers opportunities to showcase their boxing skills.

“There will be money at stake. There will be also a floating trophy plus medals for the winning team, best boxer and for the best coach. It is an open tournament which is not limited to only clubs from Ohangwena but also from other regions. We have more than 11 clubs that have expressed their interest in participating.  It is the first time and I want it to be hosted at least twice or three times a year. For now we are looking at the north but I cannot rule it out being hosted also in other regions.

“The competition will for now feature male boxers. I want to revive amateur boxing and provide a platform for budding talents. Entry fee for children is N$5, while adults will pay N$15 dollars. The championship will start from 18H00 and there will be a music bash,” Nghitumbwa said.

Nghitumbwa, who is expected to get a world title shot next year, said he his dream was to own a boxing gym and also becoming a boxing promoter after retiring.

“I am also looking beyond boxing as I also want one day after retirement to become a promoter and owning my own promotion,” Nghitumbwa said.