Martin Haikali retained his WBO African lightweight title with a hardfought points victory over Pies Dibeko of South Africa at the Kuisebmond Hall in Walvis Bay on Saturday night. According to Namibian boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, it was a tough encounter, while Dibeko was a tough opponent, but “Haikali was hungrier than Dibeko.”
Haikali won the fight on a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds to take his pro record to 6 wins and 4 defeats.
Dibeko was a late replacement for Sydney Maluleka who withdrew from the fight at the last minute.
In the main supporting bout Sackey Shikukutu beat Silas Mandeya of Zimbabwe on a 10th round knockout in a junior welterweight fight.
Shikukutu knocked Mandeya to the canvas for the first time in the ninth round and then once again put him down in the 10th round, but Mandeya managed to beat the count on both occasions.
Shikukutu however knocked him down a third time with a powerful body punch and this time he could not recover as the referee counted him out.
It was Shikukutu’s first fight since he dislocated his shoulder against Bhekimpilo Mlilo of Zimbabwe on March 20, and according to Tobias he was still protecting his shoulder.
“Sackey didnt use his right hand at all during the fight and it was clear that he was still protecting his shoulder after his previous injury. But he is super fit and comfortably won the fight,” Tobias said.
It was a successful evening for Namibian boxers as they all won their fights. The other results were as follows:
In a junior lightweight fight Abraham Ndaendapo beat Richard Muriri of Zimbabwe on a first round TKO.
In a flyweight fight Abmerk Shindjuu beat Anyway Katundu of Zimbabwe on a first round TKO.
In a super featherweight fight Gotlieb Ndokosho beat Tawanda Chigweda of Zimbabwe on points over four rounds.
In a lightweight fight Julius Indongo notched up his sixth successive victory with a first round TKO against Lawrence Moyo of Zimbabwe, while Anthony Jarman scored his third successive victory with a second round knockout of Elias Shifuka.
Joseph Katenda beat Samuel Kapapu on points over four rounds, while Erkki Kalenga beat Sam Kambonde on points over four rounds.