• Sport

Heita steps up for interim world title fight in New York

• 1 Day Ago

In another proud history-making move for Namibian boxing, Mateus “The Beast” Heita is set to compete on the world stage when he takes on the USA’s Bruce Carrington for the vacant WBC interim world title.

This mega showdown is scheduled for 26 July 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The announcement was officially made by Top Rank on Friday, much to the delight of the MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions.

The 27-year-old Heita will be fighting outside Namibia for the first time and will be taking a gigantic step up in class.

Heita had this to say: “I have proven to the world that I am a world-class boxer. Facing the best has always been my ambition, because I believe I am destined for greatness.

“There is nothing special about Carrington; he is simply another challenge I will overcome.”

In response, Carrington said: “It is always a thrill to fight in my city, and I can’t wait to bring the ‘Shu Shu Show’ back to The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

“The featherweight division is full of champions who have refused my challenge, so I credit Heita for accepting. That said, I will take out my frustration on him on July 26 and continue putting the division on notice.”



Sterling pedigree

Carrington is ranked the number one contender by both the WBO and WBC and comes in undefeated after 15 pro fights (9 knockouts).

The WBC world title is held by the USA’s Stephen Fulton, who is rumoured to be considering a step up in weight class, which could be why the WBC interim world championship will be on the line between Carrington and Heita.

Carrington had a very successful amateur career, winning the US Olympic trials in 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic causing the delay of the 2020 Olympics Games in Tokyo, Carrington decided to turn pro – finishing his amateur career with a record of 255 wins and 31 losses.

In his most recent fight on 29 March 2025, the American knocked down Enrique Vivas of Mexico in the second round before winning the fight by TKO in the third round. With this result, Carrington retained his North American Boxing Federation, WBO inter-continental, and WBC Silver featherweight titles.



African titleholder

Heita has an unblemished professional record of 14 wins, with nine won by knockout. He is ranked by both the WBO and WBC (at number 14 and 13 respectively) and he is the current WBO Africa featherweight champion.

The Namibian’s most recent win was on 12 April against Abdul-Aziz Kunert at Windhoek Showgrounds. The South African pushed him all the way as they went toe to toe for 12 rounds, with the judges awarding Heita the unanimous result (118-110, 118-110, 118-109).

It was Heita’s first defence of the WBO African belt he won last November. He was challenged for the vacant title by Tatenda Biningu of Zimbabwe, who came in with a 10-1 record but failed to come out for the sixth round.

Reacting to the New York fight announcement, promoter Nestor Tobias said: “What an incredible achievement for Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita to fight for the world title in the USA. This is every boxer’s dream and for him to be picked for such a big fight after 14 fights is remarkable.

“Heita has worked hard and he deserves it. He just came off a very tough fight which prepared him for this battle away from home. We are excited and we are confident that Heita can become Namibia’s fifth world champion. We have done it before and we will do it again.”

Tickets for the event promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions and Zanfer Boxing, go on sale Friday, June 6, and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com.



Nakathila v Mason

Meanwhile, the MTC Nestor Sunshine coaching team jetted off to the USA yesterday with Jeremiah “Low Key” Nakathila who is preparing to face Abdullah Mason on Saturday, 7 June.

The 35-year-old Namibian veteran (26-4, 21 KOs) is a former world title contender who will step in the ring against the unbeaten 21-year-old prospect Mason (18-0) at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.