Energy ready for ex-world champ
Boxing
MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions says their boxer Fillipus “Energy” Nghitumbwa has prepared well for his fight against a former world title holder, scheduled to take place in Yokohama, Japan.
The Namibian super bantamweight is set to leave for Japan on 8 October to battle the host nation’s Yukinori Oguni in a non-title international fight on 13 October.
On the current WBO world rankings, Nghitumbwa (ninth in the 55.34 kg division) and super middleweight Paulinus Ndjolonimus (fourth) are the only Namibians positioned in the top-15, to realistically be in the conversation for world title fight opportunities in the near future.
Promoter Nestor Tobias said: “Energy is ready and has shown incredible skills in the gym.
“His body is in good shape and we can just expect a victory from him.”
Nghitumbwa has fought 16 professional fights, winning 14 of them (12 by knockout).
He has never been knocked out and his only two career losses were both on points, including his pro debut fight in September 2017 against Jonas Matheus, for which he took revenge with a third-round KO win in April 2021.
As the travelling underdog, he was also unable to upset the favoured former world title holder in three weight classes, John Riel Casimero of the Philippines, in their WBO Global title fight in Paranaque in May last year.
The Namibian will be up against a Japanese opponent whose 26-fight pro career (since 2009) has yielded 21 wins (8 by knockout), two defeats (both by KO) and three draws.
The 36-year-old Oguni previously held the IBF world title belt until September 2017, when he was beaten by his countryman Ryosuke Iwasa when the referee stopped the fight in round six.
Important fight
Nghitumbwa also informed Sport Wrap that he was ready for the fight and he is going to bring the belt home.
“Such a fight is very important for me and I can only appreciate the opportunity I got to fight abroad again.
“I am ready because I have been sparring well with my partners in the gym. I appreciate the fact that they have pushed me to the limit.
“We still have a few more days in the gym, but my body already feels ready for the fight,” Nghitumbwa noted.
Tobias extended his gratitude to the promotion’s sponsors, stating that the event would not have been possible without their support.
“They help us maintain the standard of boxing in Namibia to be competitive at a world-class level. Without MTC and PstBet’s funding, we wouldn’t be where we are today. It’s also the result of hard work from our team and the boxers,” he noted.
He added that sponsorships of such nature are crucial in the nation’s desire to produce boxing champions.
Tobias invites more sponsors to come on board and support boxing as he believes in the sport’s potential to keep many off the streets and to create a viable career path.
The Namibian super bantamweight is set to leave for Japan on 8 October to battle the host nation’s Yukinori Oguni in a non-title international fight on 13 October.
On the current WBO world rankings, Nghitumbwa (ninth in the 55.34 kg division) and super middleweight Paulinus Ndjolonimus (fourth) are the only Namibians positioned in the top-15, to realistically be in the conversation for world title fight opportunities in the near future.
Promoter Nestor Tobias said: “Energy is ready and has shown incredible skills in the gym.
“His body is in good shape and we can just expect a victory from him.”
Nghitumbwa has fought 16 professional fights, winning 14 of them (12 by knockout).
He has never been knocked out and his only two career losses were both on points, including his pro debut fight in September 2017 against Jonas Matheus, for which he took revenge with a third-round KO win in April 2021.
As the travelling underdog, he was also unable to upset the favoured former world title holder in three weight classes, John Riel Casimero of the Philippines, in their WBO Global title fight in Paranaque in May last year.
The Namibian will be up against a Japanese opponent whose 26-fight pro career (since 2009) has yielded 21 wins (8 by knockout), two defeats (both by KO) and three draws.
The 36-year-old Oguni previously held the IBF world title belt until September 2017, when he was beaten by his countryman Ryosuke Iwasa when the referee stopped the fight in round six.
Important fight
Nghitumbwa also informed Sport Wrap that he was ready for the fight and he is going to bring the belt home.
“Such a fight is very important for me and I can only appreciate the opportunity I got to fight abroad again.
“I am ready because I have been sparring well with my partners in the gym. I appreciate the fact that they have pushed me to the limit.
“We still have a few more days in the gym, but my body already feels ready for the fight,” Nghitumbwa noted.
Tobias extended his gratitude to the promotion’s sponsors, stating that the event would not have been possible without their support.
“They help us maintain the standard of boxing in Namibia to be competitive at a world-class level. Without MTC and PstBet’s funding, we wouldn’t be where we are today. It’s also the result of hard work from our team and the boxers,” he noted.
He added that sponsorships of such nature are crucial in the nation’s desire to produce boxing champions.
Tobias invites more sponsors to come on board and support boxing as he believes in the sport’s potential to keep many off the streets and to create a viable career path.
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