• Sport

Simon Jr still undefeated

Namibian welterweight boxer Harry Simon Jr (25) extended his unbeaten record to 19 fights on Saturday at the Indoor Sport Complex in Walvis Bay.

Simon Jr, who now boasts an impressive record of 19 undefeated fights with 13 of them by knockout, sent his Malawian opponent Israel Kamwamba to the canvas in the first minute of the second round in their welterweight fight.

Backed by a vibrant crowd and his father Harry 'The Terminator' Simon at the ringside, the Walvis Bay-born champion put his opponent under pressure from the onset with a barrage of well-landed combinations to the head and body.

Kamwamba - who fights under the Iron Body Boxing Gym stable and boasted a record with 22 fights, 12 wins, nine losses and nine draws - responded in kind but could not match the pace and effort displayed by a confident Simon Jr.

“Finish him off! He's no match for you,” Simon Snr urged his son on from the ringside.



Kept his cool

Kamwamba managed to corner Simon Jr when the second round started, but the Namibian kept his cool and landed the punch that ended the fight, which was intended to be contested over 10 rounds.

After the bout, Simon Jr said he felt at home and the supporters motivated him.

“Homecoming Volume 1 is done and dusted, now Volume 2 is loading. I am feeling great and would like to fight in Walvis Bay again. I prepared hard for this fight. I already started in November last year and while we are waiting on opportunities from outside, we decided to host our own event.”



Challenge

He also called out Swakopmund-based professional boxer Albinius 'Danny Boy' Felesianu, who entered the ring to congratulate him on his win.

“You are one of the best and we fight in one category. You have been on my radar for quite some time. I would like to take you on, if you are up for the challenge. You represent Swakopmund and I represent Walvis Bay. We have a score to settle. I know you are looking for a payday. I will give you an early retirement by putting you to sleep."

Danny Boy, who is a Namibian light-weight world champion with 19 wins, two losses and two draws under his belt, responded in kind.

“I am willing and ready for you. Let’s do it!”

Simon Snr, who is a former two-weight world champion (31 fights with 31 wins and 23 knockouts), said he will approach the Boxing Control Board and was looking forward to promote the fight under his company, HS Onkugo Promotions.

Simon Jr also thanked his supporters and everyone who made the occasion possible.

“The Open Knowledge Foundation and many others came onboard to make this come true. We need you in Namibia. Thank you for believing in us and lifting us up from the dust.”



Turning pro

The other eight fights saw various boxers making their debut as pro fighters.

Isak Indongo defeated Edward Mbango from Nampol Boxing Club (with a record of two fights, one win and one loss) by a unanimous judges decision in a featherweight fight. The judges scored the fight 39-36, 38-37 and 39-36 in favour of Indongo.

Timoteus Festus defeated Lazarus Alweendo with a knockout in the second round of their super featherweight bout.

Meanwhile, Angula Simon defeated Sakaria Kandjabanga with a majority judges decision in a super featherweight fight. The judges scored the fight 39-37, 40-36 and 39-37.

Jonas Jonas defeated Petrus Matheus (with a record of two fights and two losses) with a technical knockout in a lightweight fight. Matheus' corner staff threw in the towel one minute and five seconds into the fourth round.

Petrus Uugwanga defeated Martin Kampala by knocking him out in the second minute of the fourth round in a featherweight bout. Uwanga dropped Kampala twice in the second round and again in the fourth, but could not finish him off.

Tangeni Salomo defeated Lamaguluka Nghifikwa (with a record of one fight and one loss) with a unanimous judges decision in a lightweight fight. The judges scored the fight 39-34, 40-33 and 39-34.

Ericky Ericky defeated Andreas Endjala with a majority judges decision in a bantamweight bout. Ericky dropped his opponent in the third round. The judges scored the fight 38-38, 37-37 and 39-36.

Finally, in a ligthweight fight scored 39-37, 40-36 and 39-37, Jonas Lukas defeated Paulus Morgan (with a record of four fights, two wins, one draw and one no contest) via a technical knockout.