Namibia’s Boxer Jeremiah Nakathila Wins WBO Junior Lightweight Belt

Namibia’s Jeremiah Nakathila beat Hungary’s Zoltan Kovacs in the eighth round to win the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) junior lightweight title in Windhoek.

Weaving, bobbing and ducking, Nakathila tormented the Hungarian with heavy shots to the head before an enthusiastic crowd that was also attended by Minister of Sports Erastus Uutoni.

Kovacs came down twice in the first round but managed somehow to beat the count and came back in the later rounds only to be felled by heavy punches combined with great speed from the more supreme Nakathila.

However, from the fourth round, it became a tactical battle with very few damaging punches and exchanges.

In the eighth round, the referee had to stop the fight to protect a clearly bruised and hurt Kovacs, 1 minute and 20 seconds into the round.

Speaking to the media after the fight, Nakathila said he is ready for a world title fight, but said the call will come from his promoter.

“I had a good fight tonight because my opponent came to fight and I am sure the fans enjoyed it. Tonight, I showed the world that I am ready to challenge for the world title,” said Nakathila.

In the main undercard, WBO Africa Welterweight champion and WBO rated number seven, Mikka “Silent Assassin” Shonena stopped Shadrack Ignas from Tanzania with a fourth-round technical knockout to improve his unbeaten record to 14 straight wins.

Shonena was in command from the bell and wasted no time as he overpowered the Tanzanian with beautiful punches to finish off the fight in style.