By: Hee-Dee Walenga
The MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing & Fitness Academy held a ‘WBO Africa Titles Redemption’ Boxing Bonanza on Saturday night at the Windhoek Country Club.
The bonanza saw both Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita and Paulinus ‘John John’ Ndjolonimus claim World Boxing Organisation (WBO) titles.
The bonanza originally had 12 fights scheduled, however, the international welterweight bout between Harry Simon Jr and Zimbabwean Jeremia Mhere was cancelled due to medical reasons.
Among the anticipated fights was the heavyweight matchup between Naftalie Sheyapo and Vikapita Meroro. Sheyapo beat Meroro via unanimous decision to walk away with the national heavyweight title.
Paulinus ‘John John’ Ndjolonimus, who came into the fight with only one professional loss on his record, took on and beat South African Snamiso Ntuli via a 10th round technical knockout for the WBO Africa Super Middleweight Title. Ndjolonimus now has 20 professional wins under his belt.
The main event saw Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita take on Clement Loko from Benin for the WBO Africa Featherweight Title. Both fighters came into the bout with only 1 loss on their records. The Beast made lightwork of his West African opponent, winning the fight via a technical knockout in the 4th round.
“I knew I would knock this guy out within 6 rounds because he is not on my level. I am prepared for bigger things,” Heita said after the fight.
Promoter and trainer, Nestor Tobias, told the media at the end of the bonanza, “Today’s achievements are another sign that professional boxing is the fastest growing sport in Namibia.”
Tobias concluded by stating that talks are in the works to grant Heita another shot at the world title, following his loss to Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington in New York earlier this year for the WBC Interim Featherweight World Title.
