Shinima, Nghitumbwa, Ndjolonimus to defend titles

• By Michael Uugwanga

THE country’s top boxers Charles Shinima, Philips Energy Nghitumbwa and Paulinus John John Ndjolonimus will be defending their crowns at Helao Nafidi on March 19, courtesy of MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy.

This was announced by Nestor Tobias, chairman and promoter of the three boxers at a press conference this week in Windhoek.

Shinima will be defending his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Welterweight title against South African boxer Mziwoxolo Ndwayana, while Nghitumbwa will defend his WBO global super bantamweight title against Tony Rashid of Tanzania and Ndjolonimus will face Erick Tshimanga of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in his WBO Africa super-middleweight defence.

The boxing bonanza under the theme ‘Together as One Part Six’ received blessings from the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB), while the mayor of Helao Nafidi Town Council Darius Shaalukeni has assured the boxers and those travelling to the town for the boxing tournament, that they will be treated well.

“We are honoured and excited after MTC and our town agreed on a collaboration to stage these fights. These fights will be held in our town hall.  There will also be some local boxers from our region that will be on the undercards. There are no direct payments from the town council for this tournament.

Local businesses will financially benefit from this,” said Shaalukeni.

Tobias said that the stable is yet to confirm the number of undercards as he urged other boxers to continue working hard in the gym.

“I know that everyone wants to fight but we cannot make you all fight, just keep on training and keep pushing because there are lots of things that will be happening this year,” Tobias said.

MTC manager for corporate affairs and sponsorship, John Ekongo has said that the company wants to see more fights taking place outside the capital.

MTC who are the main sponsors for the boxing bonanza have assured the nation that the current Covid-19 protocols will be observed which currently only allow 200 people at a gathering.

MTC also sponsors other boxing stables such as MTC Salute Boxing Academy and MTC Kilimanjaro Boxing Academy.

“You will see similar approaches from the boxing stables that will go to remote places,” said Ekongo.

Tickets will be sold at N$50 for adults and N$20 for kids, while VIP tickets will go for N$200.