Demolisher has Vegas dreams
Lukas 'Demolisher' Ndafoluma has his sights set on becoming a world boxing sensation.
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The journey of World Boxing Federation (WBF) intercontinental middleweight champion Lukas 'Demolisher' Ndafoluma has not been easy, but he now has his sights set on earning himself a world title fight in Las Vegas.
Many times in his career, he faced various challenges, but continues to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion.
In his early life, Ndafoluma never imagined he was going to become a celebrity.
He was born on 25 December 1985 at Oshakati.
He grew up at Oshatumba village in Ompundja with his great-grandmother.
Ndafoluma attended Ompundja Primary School and this is where his love for fighting started.
He used to box with his schoolmates and also with village boys when he looked after cattle and goats. He often learnt harsh lessons from his peers during fights, but his passion for boxing never died.
“I always admired the sport, even when watching people like Harry Simon fight and win world titles,” Ndafoluma said.
He made his professional debut in 2007 against fellow Namibian, Steven Shimbonde.
Ndafoluma outclassed Shimbonde at the SKW sports grounds to record his first professional victory.
It took him ten professional fights and five years before he fought for a title.
Ndafoluma said he remained patient, even though some of his sparring partners got title shots sooner than him.
“I have always been a patient guy, because I knew that my time will come to fight for bigger titles. It is not an easy thing to wait that long, but I had to be calm and calculating throughout the years,” he said.
It was in June 2017 that Ndafoluma's dream came true to fight for a title.
He clashed with South African Barend van Rooyen for the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All-Africa middleweight title at the Ramatex complex in Windhoek.
Ndafoluma produced an excellent performance, which earned him the title.
The Demolisher then defeated Martin Tshuma in a non-title fight at Otjiwarongo on 30 September 2017.
At this point, there was a huge belief in his camp that he was becoming a huge menace for any future opponent.
On 11 November 2017, Ndafoluma was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, to fight in Manchester for the World Boxing Council (WBC) international middleweight title.
Ndafoluma caused a huge upset when he beat Craig Cunningham from the United Kingdom.
It was the first time a Namibian had won a WBC belt.
On 3 August this year, Ndafoluma became the new WBF intercontinental middleweight champion at The Dome in Swakopmund.
He won the title after defeating fellow Namibian, Ebenestus Kaangundue.
Ndafoluma successfully defended his WBF title, when he defeated Hussein Itaba of Zimbabwe on 31 August.
Ndafoluma has so far won 13 fights, while only losing one bout.
“American boxer Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins he has been a middleweight champion of the world for a decade, defending his title 21
times.
“He is my greatest inspiration because he became the champion when everyone thought he was old.
“If there is any person I would like to spend even 30 minutes with in this world that would be Bernard Hopkins,” Ndafoluma said.
His next fight will be against Zimbabwe's Jimmy Mabundji for the vacant WBF international middleweight crown at the Harare Sports Centre on 30 November.
“I have been working hard and I will be ready to fight Mabundji in his own backyard. There are no two-ways about it, because I have to win that fight at all costs.”
The journey of World Boxing Federation (WBF) intercontinental middleweight champion Lukas 'Demolisher' Ndafoluma has not been easy, but he now has his sights set on earning himself a world title fight in Las Vegas.
Many times in his career, he faced various challenges, but continues to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion.
In his early life, Ndafoluma never imagined he was going to become a celebrity.
He was born on 25 December 1985 at Oshakati.
He grew up at Oshatumba village in Ompundja with his great-grandmother.
Ndafoluma attended Ompundja Primary School and this is where his love for fighting started.
He used to box with his schoolmates and also with village boys when he looked after cattle and goats. He often learnt harsh lessons from his peers during fights, but his passion for boxing never died.
“I always admired the sport, even when watching people like Harry Simon fight and win world titles,” Ndafoluma said.
He made his professional debut in 2007 against fellow Namibian, Steven Shimbonde.
Ndafoluma outclassed Shimbonde at the SKW sports grounds to record his first professional victory.
It took him ten professional fights and five years before he fought for a title.
Ndafoluma said he remained patient, even though some of his sparring partners got title shots sooner than him.
“I have always been a patient guy, because I knew that my time will come to fight for bigger titles. It is not an easy thing to wait that long, but I had to be calm and calculating throughout the years,” he said.
It was in June 2017 that Ndafoluma's dream came true to fight for a title.
He clashed with South African Barend van Rooyen for the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) All-Africa middleweight title at the Ramatex complex in Windhoek.
Ndafoluma produced an excellent performance, which earned him the title.
The Demolisher then defeated Martin Tshuma in a non-title fight at Otjiwarongo on 30 September 2017.
At this point, there was a huge belief in his camp that he was becoming a huge menace for any future opponent.
On 11 November 2017, Ndafoluma was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime, to fight in Manchester for the World Boxing Council (WBC) international middleweight title.
Ndafoluma caused a huge upset when he beat Craig Cunningham from the United Kingdom.
It was the first time a Namibian had won a WBC belt.
On 3 August this year, Ndafoluma became the new WBF intercontinental middleweight champion at The Dome in Swakopmund.
He won the title after defeating fellow Namibian, Ebenestus Kaangundue.
Ndafoluma successfully defended his WBF title, when he defeated Hussein Itaba of Zimbabwe on 31 August.
Ndafoluma has so far won 13 fights, while only losing one bout.
“American boxer Bernard 'The Executioner' Hopkins he has been a middleweight champion of the world for a decade, defending his title 21
times.
“He is my greatest inspiration because he became the champion when everyone thought he was old.
“If there is any person I would like to spend even 30 minutes with in this world that would be Bernard Hopkins,” Ndafoluma said.
His next fight will be against Zimbabwe's Jimmy Mabundji for the vacant WBF international middleweight crown at the Harare Sports Centre on 30 November.
“I have been working hard and I will be ready to fight Mabundji in his own backyard. There are no two-ways about it, because I have to win that fight at all costs.”
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