Tobias confirms Heita's training progress
Boxing
Boxing promoter Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias has his ducks in a row as he prepares two sought-after fights for his boxers. Speaking on the Sport Wrap Show on Tuesday, the promoter expressed confidence that Matheus Heita and Paulinus Ndjolonimus will do the nation proud as they prepare for their fights on foreign soil.
Heita will battle against America’s Bruce Carrington for the vacant WBC interim world featherweight title.
The fight is due to take place on 26 July at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“I can assure you that ever since we made the announcement, the boxer has stepped up his training, because we all know what is at stake here.
“It is an incredible opportunity for him and we are therefore working hard to make sure that he travels having done the best preparations ever,” Tobias said.
A select few Namibian boxers have already fought on U.S. soil, since Frans “Rambo” Hantindi first fought Jay Pina in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in 2005.
The list also includes more recent appearances by former world champion Julius Indongo, as well as world title contenders Jeremiah Nakathila and Walter Kautondokwa.
This month will however deliver the first time a Namibian will fight at the iconic boxing venue Madison Square Garden.
On 14 March 2020, Sakaria Lukas was scheduled to fight Jesse Magdaleno at the MSG in a WBC world title eliminator and a landmark event for the former WBO Africa featherweight champion. But the unexpected hit of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent travel restrictions forced the organizers to cancel the bout.
Heita is also preparing for his first bout outside of Namibia since he turned professional in November 2018. Heita has a record of 14 professional wins (nine by knockout).
Carrington, 28, is ranked the number one contender by both the WBO and WBC and comes in undefeated after 15 pro fights (9 knockouts). Between 2010 and 2021 the American named “Shu Shu” also built an amateur career of 45 wins and 24 losses.
“This opportunity for Heita is the biggest of his career to date and I trust he will give it all his has got to win the fight.
“The fact that I remain confident in him going into this fight is important for him as a boxer,” Tobias noted.
“John John (Ndjolonimus) who will be fighting against Simon Zachenhuber in Germany on 19 July is also looking good in training.”