Max Ipinge dreams of a title shot
Boxing is a sport known for taking blows, but Max Ipinge believes he has what it takes to reach and stay at the top.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
WINDHOEK
As the boxing year swings low with the continuous rise in Covid-19 cases and little to no boxing action, young boxers such as junior middleweight Max 'Kwaluudhi Boy' Ipinge continue to hope that there is a high tide coming soon.
Ipinge, who is signed to MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions, is one of the rising stars in Namibian boxing circles.
Many who follow the gentleman's game know him as one of the prolific rough diamonds signed under Sunshine Promotions.
When he steps into the ring, Ipinge means business. The last time he fought in 2018 at the Windhoek Country Club he beat another local, Andreas Andreas Nghinaunye, on points in a fight which saw multiple cuts and bruises.
Ipinge said as a boxer one needs to take the punches as much as you inflict them on your opponent.
Hiatus
Soon after that fight, Ipinge went silent, explaining that he took a break due to boxing politics.
But his dream of becoming an African champion and eventually fighting for a world title hasn't been derailed in any way.
So far, he has had five fights, four wins and one loss and wants to continue building an impressive resume and follow his dreams.
However, these dreams will only see the light of day once the Covid-19 pandemic is curbed and when it's safe to move out of the state of emergency.
Ipinge shared that he is inspired by Mexican boxer Saul Alvarez Barragan, better known as 'Canello' Álvarez, but he also believes firmly in creating his own journey through personal experiences rather than relying on the experience of others and because of that and in addition to the spoils caused by the pandemic, many young boxers need to be given the chance and opportunity to fight more when the situation normalises.
More opportunities needed
'Our equivalents overseas can expect to fight up to six times a year; here we fight as little as once a year. It doesn't take a boxing scholar to realise that far from developing a boxer, such a schedule can only see talent whither on the vine,' said Ipinge
He further explained that coming to the capital from a town such as Walvis Bay with no boxing opportunities has been beneficial to him and this kind of move has also benefitted boxers in the likes of Harry Simon Junior and Mateus Heita.
'If it's a challenge for us from the coast to get a chance to train and fight, how difficult is it for those talented guys in Opuwo or Divundu?
'Because of this, there's a huge need for government investment in grassroots development programmes which will be key in opening more boxing opportunities for young boxers both at amateur level.
'I was fortunate to have moved to Windhoek to further my studies and thus ending up at Sunshine Promotions.”
He praised his promoter, Nestor Tobias, saying that his credentials speak for themselves as he has moulded champions over the years and that he believes in him and that next year will definitely secure a chance at a title shot.
WINDHOEK
As the boxing year swings low with the continuous rise in Covid-19 cases and little to no boxing action, young boxers such as junior middleweight Max 'Kwaluudhi Boy' Ipinge continue to hope that there is a high tide coming soon.
Ipinge, who is signed to MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions, is one of the rising stars in Namibian boxing circles.
Many who follow the gentleman's game know him as one of the prolific rough diamonds signed under Sunshine Promotions.
When he steps into the ring, Ipinge means business. The last time he fought in 2018 at the Windhoek Country Club he beat another local, Andreas Andreas Nghinaunye, on points in a fight which saw multiple cuts and bruises.
Ipinge said as a boxer one needs to take the punches as much as you inflict them on your opponent.
Hiatus
Soon after that fight, Ipinge went silent, explaining that he took a break due to boxing politics.
But his dream of becoming an African champion and eventually fighting for a world title hasn't been derailed in any way.
So far, he has had five fights, four wins and one loss and wants to continue building an impressive resume and follow his dreams.
However, these dreams will only see the light of day once the Covid-19 pandemic is curbed and when it's safe to move out of the state of emergency.
Ipinge shared that he is inspired by Mexican boxer Saul Alvarez Barragan, better known as 'Canello' Álvarez, but he also believes firmly in creating his own journey through personal experiences rather than relying on the experience of others and because of that and in addition to the spoils caused by the pandemic, many young boxers need to be given the chance and opportunity to fight more when the situation normalises.
More opportunities needed
'Our equivalents overseas can expect to fight up to six times a year; here we fight as little as once a year. It doesn't take a boxing scholar to realise that far from developing a boxer, such a schedule can only see talent whither on the vine,' said Ipinge
He further explained that coming to the capital from a town such as Walvis Bay with no boxing opportunities has been beneficial to him and this kind of move has also benefitted boxers in the likes of Harry Simon Junior and Mateus Heita.
'If it's a challenge for us from the coast to get a chance to train and fight, how difficult is it for those talented guys in Opuwo or Divundu?
'Because of this, there's a huge need for government investment in grassroots development programmes which will be key in opening more boxing opportunities for young boxers both at amateur level.
'I was fortunate to have moved to Windhoek to further my studies and thus ending up at Sunshine Promotions.”
He praised his promoter, Nestor Tobias, saying that his credentials speak for themselves as he has moulded champions over the years and that he believes in him and that next year will definitely secure a chance at a title shot.
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