Tobias, Nakathila confident and eager
Namibia boxing promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias said Jeremiah Nakathila will make mincemeat of American James Herring if he fights the way he did recently.
Limba Mupetami
WINDHOEK
America James Herring defended his WBO world title against Jonathan Oquendo in Las Vegas recently, but his performance was less than convincing, according to promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias.
“Herring was really frustrated and Oquendo took the fight to him. Herring gave up too easy and he didn't want to continue. Real champions fight through bloody situations and we saw that time and time again. One did not get the sense that Herring had the courage to do that during this fight.
“In our view, Herring took the easy way out, knowing he was leading on points but losing momentum,” said Tobias.
Disqualified
According to BoxingScene, Herring started well and managed to build a significant lead on the scorecards in the first four rounds, including a knockdown in the third stanza by a left uppercut to the jaw.
Then, in round five, a wild clash of heads caused two cuts over the champion's right eye and the blood clearly started to bother Herring, who was slowly losing momentum and allowed the shorter Oquendo to push him over the ropes.
The struggle ended after the eighth when the champion told the ring doctor he could not see out of his injured eye.
As the stoppage was caused by a head butt previously labelled as an intentional foul by referee Tony Weeks, the Nevada State Athletic Commission decided to disqualify Oquendo.
Very rusty
“By his own admission, not a very convincing performance from Herring, rusty to say the least,” said Tobias.
The promoter has been vocal to secure a WBO world title fight for his third ranked super featherweight protégé Jeremiah Nakathila for over two years.
Nakathila last fought in 2019 when he beat Peter Pambeni of Zimbabwe on a technical knockout.
The Global titlist is now pushing for a chance to contend for the top spot as other champions keep moving up to number one while he remains idle.
Mandatory challenger
In the last few months, three names have occupied the number one spot - Lamont Roach Jr, Oscar Valdez and now Shakur Stevenson, who is the next mandatory challenger of Herring.
If this continues, the Nakathila will be set back almost two years from fighting for a title as every champion is expected to do a voluntary defence, then a mandatory one.
Herring has five months to face his mandatory fight, but when that takes place depends on how fast his eye heals.
If Herring fights Stevenson, then Nakathila will become the mandatory challenger.
Tobias said he has a great relationship with WBO and has been in contact with them on the way forward.
WINDHOEK
America James Herring defended his WBO world title against Jonathan Oquendo in Las Vegas recently, but his performance was less than convincing, according to promoter Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias.
“Herring was really frustrated and Oquendo took the fight to him. Herring gave up too easy and he didn't want to continue. Real champions fight through bloody situations and we saw that time and time again. One did not get the sense that Herring had the courage to do that during this fight.
“In our view, Herring took the easy way out, knowing he was leading on points but losing momentum,” said Tobias.
Disqualified
According to BoxingScene, Herring started well and managed to build a significant lead on the scorecards in the first four rounds, including a knockdown in the third stanza by a left uppercut to the jaw.
Then, in round five, a wild clash of heads caused two cuts over the champion's right eye and the blood clearly started to bother Herring, who was slowly losing momentum and allowed the shorter Oquendo to push him over the ropes.
The struggle ended after the eighth when the champion told the ring doctor he could not see out of his injured eye.
As the stoppage was caused by a head butt previously labelled as an intentional foul by referee Tony Weeks, the Nevada State Athletic Commission decided to disqualify Oquendo.
Very rusty
“By his own admission, not a very convincing performance from Herring, rusty to say the least,” said Tobias.
The promoter has been vocal to secure a WBO world title fight for his third ranked super featherweight protégé Jeremiah Nakathila for over two years.
Nakathila last fought in 2019 when he beat Peter Pambeni of Zimbabwe on a technical knockout.
The Global titlist is now pushing for a chance to contend for the top spot as other champions keep moving up to number one while he remains idle.
Mandatory challenger
In the last few months, three names have occupied the number one spot - Lamont Roach Jr, Oscar Valdez and now Shakur Stevenson, who is the next mandatory challenger of Herring.
If this continues, the Nakathila will be set back almost two years from fighting for a title as every champion is expected to do a voluntary defence, then a mandatory one.
Herring has five months to face his mandatory fight, but when that takes place depends on how fast his eye heals.
If Herring fights Stevenson, then Nakathila will become the mandatory challenger.
Tobias said he has a great relationship with WBO and has been in contact with them on the way forward.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article