Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

LIMBA MUPETAMIior started off playing basketball even though he always used to see his father leaving home for gym to train for big fights. He saw how his father toiled at his trade but he didn't tag along to gym; instead he chose to play basketball with his friends. At the age of 13, then a grade 7 learner at Flamingo Primary School in Walvis Bay, the young boxer met a trainer who was working with some of the older boys at a community basketball court. “I knew then that I was interested. Right after the boxing show I immediately talked to the coach, Germen Nhikembwa, and told him that I wanted to join and he roped me into boxing. “I was however sceptical because I wanted to continue playing basketball so my basketball coach told me that it was possible to do both and that basketball would help me with my footwork. “Boxing is in my blood. I grew up watching it but as time goes by I see that it's a great way of escaping poverty and the social evils which face young people these days,” he says. Harry Jr has won close to 30 medals on amateur level and was also part of the 2014-2016 national boxing team. Recently he took part in the Champions in Action Boxing Bonanza that was held by MTC Nestor Tobias Academy. An aspiring engineering student, Simon Jr is a highly technical fighter who is currently being mentored at the MTC Nestor Tobias Academy in Windhoek. He says his mother is his greatest inspiration as she supports and motivates his ambitions. “She always knew that I had something special. In boxing circles I look up mostly to Max 'Kwaluudhi Boy' Ipinge. He is a young prospect like myself who has achieved a lot on amateur level. “He always gives me motivational speeches and we train together. I have copied some of his moves to better mine,” he says. He also says that he looks up to his father because he changed the face of boxing in the country, as well as Julius Indongo. “I always watch their boxing tapes as there is so much I can learn from them.”Simon Jr says the reason why he chose Nestor Tobias's gym is because they have great trainers like Immanuel Moses. Tobias says the young boxer's future is bright and he should remain focused to achieve his dreams. “My dream is to be the first Namibian boxer to win the WBC world title, to defend if more than five times and to go down in the hall of fame as one of the greatest boxers,” Simon says. Asked whether he wants to emulate his father in the boxing ring, the young boxer says boxing has changed and he doesn't have the same boxing style as his father. “My dad has achieved a lot in boxing but I would like to make my own legacy and to be my own person. “I love his style but I will never be able to fight like him. I know that the new boxing style I learned from my trainers is suitable for the modern day. I want to focus on that, to grow as a boxer. I want to be focused and see how far I can go.” LIMBA MUPETAMI

Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Paving my own way – Harry Simon Jr

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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