Boxing’s magical year

Over the last few years boxing has steadily risen to become arguably the biggest sport code in the country. And when one looks at the many fascinating events that were hosted during 2013 it is no wonder that is enjoying such growth. Namibian Sun thus looks at which boxers made the biggest impact throughout the year and which ones are likely to have an even bigger 2014. After all, Namibia did feature in three world title fights, won numerous international titles and also attracted a great number of fans to boxing events. The Rock The biggest boxing star of the year, in this reporter’s humble opinion, is Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda, who became the third world champion produced by the ‘Land of the Brave’. Ambunda sizzled as he outboxed and outclassed Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu for the WBO bantamweight title in March. The Namibian boxer’s victory was also historic in that it was the first time that a local fighter became a world champion in front of his home crowd, with previous champions Harry Simon and Paulus Moses both claiming their titles abroad. While it is a pity that Ambunda only had his title for about five months (after he lost to Tomoki Kameda in Japan in August), the fact that he actually reached that accolade means that he can do it again. So 2014 offers the former champ the chance to remind fans that he is far from writing the last chapter of his professional career. Speculation is rife that Ambunda might get a rematch with Kameda or that he is likely to fight for another international title in the New Year. Is Harry back? 2013 will also mark the year that former WBO middleweight champion Harry ‘Onkugo’ Simon demonstrated his immense popularity. The boxer drew large crowds at both of his fights this year, with the second culminating in him winning the IBF international light heavyweight title after beating Serbia’s Geard Ajetovic in September. Not only fans flocked to see Namibia’s first world champ, but sponsors also seemed to line up for a chance to be associated with the boxer. But while Simon continues to be a fan favourite, doubts remain over his prowess in the ring. The fact that the boxer was injured during his fight with Ajetovic raised questions as to whether he still has the capacity to rule the roost in the world of boxing. According to reports, the IBF has given Simon six months to defend his title, meaning that the Walvis Bay-born fighter has to return to the ring by March next year. Thus it remains to be seen if Simon is indeed back or whether the boxer has reached his sell-by date and 2014 will go a long way towards providing an answer to this question. Hitman’s return to form While everybody has been talking about other fighters, Namibia’s second world champion, Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses, has been quietly going about his business. The former WBA lightweight champ successfully defended his WBO international lightweight title twice and looks to be on his way to get another shot at a world title next year. Moses has been in sparkling form and has in fact both won his fights by stoppages after knocking out South Africa’s Mzonke Fana in March and doing the same with Argentina’s Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez in October. In 34 fights, Moses has only lost twice, the second of which was against Scotland’s Ricky Burns, who remains the WBO lightweight world champion. Perhaps the time has come for Moses to again challenge Burns for that title and 2014 might just be the year for that. The rise of Ndokosho At the start of this year, few people knew Gottlieb ‘The Bite’ Ndokosho but now the boxer is on the verge of becoming a household name. This is especially so after he claimed the IBF international featherweight title by winning a fight against Georgia’s Kakhaber Avetisian in December. Ndokosho seems to have benefitted a great deal from predominantly fighting as an undercard to Simon and has done enough to now lay claim to having his own following. According to the IBF, the fighter will get the chance to fight for a bigger title next year; thus 2014 promises to be a great one for Ndokosho. Better things A number of other fighters are also hoping that 2014 will give them the chance to fight for bigger titles, with Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo, Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona, Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala, and Vikapita ‘Beastmaster’ Meroro among those leading the charge for a fourth Namibian world title. Rising stars like Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, Martin ‘Black Poison’ Haikali and Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo are also in line to step up to better things. The year 2013 will also be remembered for the events that were held outside of the capital with Oshikango, Gobabis and Omaruru (developmental tournament) being treated to first-class boxing. Thus the tone is set for 2014 to be even better.