By: Kelvin Chiringa
Namibia’s reigning WBO Jnr Lightweight champion, Jeremiah “Low Key” Nakathila, is now faced with the biggest test of his illustrious career as he locks horns with Hungary’s Zoltan Kovacs at the upcoming “legacy fight” here in the city.
Both pugilists will trade fists in a fight to claim the WBO Jnr Lightweight Global Title.
Information coming from Nakathila’s stable is that the fight will be fully promoted by well-known Promoter, Nestor Tobias from the MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions.
Nakathila is currently rated number three by the WBO while Kovacs is rated number 15, which makes this a world-class fight between two world rated boxers.
Kovacs comes into this fight more experienced with a total of 29 fights under his belt, with 23 wins, 5 losses and 1 draw with a rather low knockout record of 24%.
Nakathila comes into this bout with 18 fights under his belt, winning 17 and 1 loss with a sound knockout record of 72% suggesting that he is the man with the better power.
Nakathila will have to dig very deep to get a win by all means, and if home ground advantage is anything to go by, the odds will be against Kovacs fighting away from home.
A win for Nakathila is absolutely important because that will give him the edge for mandatory challenger status ahead of WBO number 1 and 2, Ryan Garcia and Lamonth Roach Jnr who will also be in action this month.
“Our intention is clear, we want Nakathila to fight for the world title against Ito after this fight and that is why we opted to fight a world ranked boxer and not just any opponent. We have for long wanted to fight the likes of Garcia and other rated boxers but could not make those deals happen and we would therefore like to thank Kovacs team for accepting our deal to come and fight in Namibia” said renowned promoter Nestor Tobias.
Speaking at the press conference, a relaxed Nakathila said he looked forward to the fight against Kovacs and promised to win at all cost.
“I am excited about this big opportunity. I am confident of a win but I will not take my opponent lightly. He is a world rated boxer for a reason. I want to encourage the fans to come out in their numbers to come and experience world-class boxing. I am mentally and physically prepared and fully focused on this fight” said Nakathila.
Kovacs sent Stern warning to Nakathila ahead of the fight, “I am excited to come and fight in Namibia. I am a world rated boxer in both WBO and IBF and I am coming to win!”
This will be the first time that the newly introduced WBO Global Title is contested in Africa.
The officials of the fight are as follows; Supervisor – Samir Captan (Ghana), Referee: Deon Dwarte (RSA), Judge: 1-Lazarus Nainda (Namibia), Judge 2:-Ferenc Budai jr(Hungary ), Judge3 -Patric Mkondiwa (Zim)
The 2018 WBO Africa Fighter of the Year, Walter “Executioner” Kautondokwa will make his first return to the ring since suffering his first career defeat against Demetrius Andrade in October 2018.
Kautondokwa will look to get his career back when he faces France Ramabolu who is currently the reigning South African Middleweight champion.
Another world class fight to look out for on the same card is Mike Shonena, the current WBO Welterweight champion defending his title against Shadrack Ignas from Tanzania.
Shonena comes into this fight undefeated and full of confidence with his new WBO rating that now firmly puts him in number 7, three places up from January’s rankings.
The event titled “The Legacy Part 2” which is a continuation of a fantastic celebration that was started last year with “The Legacy Part 1” that celebrates Namibia’s smooth and peaceful transfer of power between three Presidents.
The Founding President and Father of the Namibian Nation and First democratically elected President of Namibia, Dr Sam Nujoma, followed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba and current President, Dr Hage Geingob.
The bout also celebrates Namibia’s 29th Independence celebrations, a proud boxing nation that has already produced four world champions.
Tickets are available at Computicket at all Shoprite and Checkers outlets countrywide. VIP tables sell for N$10,000 and standard tickets only N$200. Seats are extremely limited. The fight will take place at Namibia’s home of boxing, The Windhoek Country Club and Resort.
