NamibiaSport

Paulus “The Hitman” Moses retained his WBA lightweight title when he convincingly beat Takehiro Shimada on points at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday night. Moses piled up the points with his razor sharp jab and although Shimada gave a brave performance, especially in the close exchanges, Moses was more industrious and had the higher work rate.



After a tentative start, Moses started landing his jab and some solid combinations by the third round although Shimada also got on some stiff hooks to the body.
Moses’ use his jab effectively, but Shimada continued to come forward. By the sixth round Moses rocked Shimada with a sharp left hook but the tough Japanese immediately recovered and replied with some strong combinations.

With the estimated 3 000 fans chanting “Hitman, Hitman,” Moses piled up the points with his razor sharp jab and strong body combinations. The tough Shimada however gave as good as he got and landed some solid hooks in the close exchanges.

The tenth round was Shimada’s best, as he trapped Moses on the ropes and landed some sharp combinations, but Moses soon recovered and by the 11th round piled up the points with his jab again, landing two to three jabs in a row.

With the crowd roaring them on both boxers slugged it out toe to toe in the final round, but The Hitman was quicker and kept Shimada at range with his jab.

It was a professional performance by Moses, who was once again in great physical shape, and in the end he was a convincing winner. Two of the judges scored the fight 119-109 in his favour while the third scored it 118-110.

It was Moses’ 25th consecutive victory as a professional while it was Shimada’s fifth defeat in 29 fights.

Moses’ victory capped a great evening’s entertainment and was a fitting end to the historic “Rumble in the Namib” boxing tournament – the first world title fight to be staged in Namibia. It went off without a hitch and was a great achievement by Namibian promoter Nestor Tobias and F&H Promotions who stage the tournament. The evening was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Namibia’s first President Sam Nujoma, some top international boxing officials and South Africa’s former boxing world champion Brian Mitchell, who was invited as a special guest by Tobias.

Uushona retains WBA Pan African welterweight title

In the main supporting bout Betuel “Tyson” Uushona retained his WBA Pan African Welterweight title when he beat South Africa’s Welcome Ntshingila on points over 12 rounds. Uushona was a unanimous winner, with the three judges scoring the fight 18-110, 118-110 and 120-109 in his favour but he was made to work hard for his victory by the tough South African.

Uushona already had Ntshingila in trouble in the second round when he landed some big combinations on the ropes, but Ntshingila took as god as he got and came back with some solid jabs.

With the crowd shouting “Tyson, Tyson, Tyson,” Uushona landed some sharp hooks in the third round but Ntshingila kept up the pressure with his solid jab. Uushona continued to land some heavy combinations, and by the sixth round Ntshingila’s nose was bleeding, but he kept on coming for more.
During the final rounds Uushona caught the South African on the ropes with some heavy combinations, but he couldn’t put Ntshingila down, who replied with a stiff jab and some sharp combinations of his own.
It was Uushona’s 18th consecutive victory, while Ntshingila’s record now stands at 16 wins, 9 defeats and 3 draws.

Tjingavete KO’s Kapia

Jatoorora “The Sting” Tjingavete also retained his WBO African Lightweight title when he knocked out compatriot Paulus Kapia with a stunning right hook in the seventh round.

Kapia was a tough opponent and landed some big hooks in the early rounds, but Tjingavete maintained a high work rate with a sharp jab continually finding the target.
By the sixth round Kapia’s eyes were swollen but he fought back bravely and had Tjingavete in trouble when he landed a heavy hook in the sixth round.

Tjingavete however recuperated well and by the seventh, caught Kapia with a stunning right hook that put him down and out for the count of ten. Kapia, in fact, took several more minutes to recover as the ringside doctors attended to him afterwards.

Tjingavete now has a record of 12 wins and 2 defeats, while Kapia has a record of 8 wins and 3 defeats.

Shikukutu too powerful

Namibia’s up-and-coming welterweight fighter Sacky “Izinyoka” Shikukutu maintained his unbeaten record when he knocked out South Africa’s Ramunzhi Khakhati in the first round.

It was an embarrassingly easy victory for Shikukuthu as Khakhati went down after receiving Shikukutu’s first real punch – a solid hook to the body, 2:44 into the first round.

Shikukutu is now unbeaten after 9 pro fights while Khakhati has a record of 4 wins and 8 defeats.

Shidjuu KO’s Mutavhatsindi

In an international mini flyweight fight Namibia’s Abmerk “Scorpion” Shindjuu knocked out South Africa’s Maurice Mutavhatsindi in the second round.

Mutavhatsindi spent most of the fight back-pedalling and trying to stay out of range but when Shindjuu trapped him on the ropes he went down to a sharp right hook, 2:04 into the second round.

Shidjuu now has a record of 6 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, while Mutavhatsindi’s record is 1 win and 4 defeats.

Ambunda remains unbeaten

Namibia’s Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda also remained unbeaten when he chalked up his 7th successive pro victory with a unanimous points win over six rounds against South Africa’s Pfariso Neluvhalani.

Ambunda had to work hard for the win as the South African pushed him all the way, but Ambunda landed the stronger punches. At the end he had Neluvhalani in trouble on the ropes, as he pounded away with combinations, but the South Afrian put up brave resistance and managed to see out the fight.

Ambunda was a unanimous points winner with two judges scoring the fight 59-55, while a third scored it 60-55 in his favour.