Boxing fans will be in for a treat when the Independence Day Boxing Bonanza takes place at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday, March 20. In the main bout, Tyson Uushona will defend his WBA Pan African welterweight title against compatriot Tommy Hango, while several other Pan African and national titles will be up for grabs.
Uushona and Hango have fought each other once before, with Uushona winning a close fight on a split decision, and according to boxing promoter Nestor Tobias fans can once again expect a great fight.
“This will be a cracker. They put up a great show in their first fight and that is why we have decided to stage a rematch.
Hango said he would do his talking in the ring.
“I’ll try my best to take the title from Tyson. I don’t want to talk too much now but we will see what happens in the ring,” he said.
Uushona said he was confident of retaining his title.
“I am ready for the fight and we will see who is the real champion. I’m not worrid about this fight, Im rather thinking about taking on guys like Floyd Mayweather. I am ready and Id like to call on my fans to come out and support me,” he said.
Vikapita Meroro will fight Douglas Otieno of Kenya in a WBO Pan African light heavyweight title fight over 12 rounds. Both boxers have impressive records with Meroro (18 fights, 17 wins, 1 loss) a bit more experienced than Otieno (13 fights, 12 wins, 1 loss).
Meroro, who was posing with the belt for photographers, was also confident of victory.
“You see the belt is already on me. I will knock out the guy. I don’t know him but I will knock him out. This is only the beginning. I will win this title and then Ill tell you about my next plans,” he said.
Paulus Ambunda will face a tough test when he defends his WBO Pan African bantamweight title against the experienced Sithembele Kibiti of South Africa. Ambunda is still undefeated after nine pro fights, while Kibiti has a record of 21 fights, 17 wins and 4 losses.
“I don’t know this guy, but he will know all about me at the fight. I am the rock and the WBO bantamweight title will remain in Namibia,” he said.
In other fights, Gotlieb Ndokosho will meet Abraham Ndaendapo for the junior lightweight national title over 10 rounds, while Sakkie Shikukutu will meet Bhekimpilo Milo of Zimbabwe in a junior welterweight fight over six rounds.
Samuel Kapapu will take on Peter Malakia in a lightweight fight over six rounds, Immanuel Naidjala will take on Mxolisi Nombewu of South Africa in a bantamweight fight over four rounds, Julius Indongo will take on Festus Nghidinwa who makes his pro debut in a lightweight fight over four rounds, and Tariwa Tembo of Zimbabwe will fight an opponent still to be named in a junior featherweight fight over four rounds.
The Boxing Bonanza will form part of the Namibian government’s 20th Independence Celebrations and the Independence Celebrations Organising Committee has helped to fund the event which has a budget of about N$400 000, according to Tobias.