Independence Boxing Bonanza postponed – The Namibian

The Independence Celebration Boxing Bonanza has been postponed for a month due to the passing of president Hage Geingob. 

Namibian boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, speaking on behalf of the MTC Sunshine Boxing Academy co-sponsored by PstBet, said that the bonanza, which was originally due to take place on 23 March has been postponed to 27 April.

“I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the Geingob family and the nation at large during this difficult time. This postponement will allow us to mourn and celebrate the life of our late president,” he said.

“We thank you for your understanding and continued support and look forward to seeing you on 27 April at the Ramatex centre in Windhoek,” he added.

“May we all remember the late president’s legacy and continue to work together towards building a much stronger and more united Namibia. We urge the nation to remain calm and strong during this difficult time,” he said. 

Nambia’s highly-rated Fillipus Nghitumbwa will square off against Zhong Liu of China for the WBO International Super Bantamweight title in the main fight of the bonanza.

The 28-year-old Nghitumbwa, who has a record of 13 wins and two defeats, won the WBO Global Super Bantamweight title in October 2021 when he knocked out Innocent Mantengu of South Africa in the sixth round. He successfully defended the title twice before losing it to John Riel Casemiro of the Philippines in May last year. 

Seven months later, however, he collected a new title, the WBO Africa Super Bantamweight title after beating Thato Bonokoane of South Africa with a first round knockout. 

Liu, who is 32 years old, has an impressive record of 19 wins and only one defeat, while he won the WBO Oriental Super Bantamweight title in October last year with a seventh round technical knockout of Saurabh Kumar of India. 

Liu, however, relinquished that title when he suffered his first defeat on a unanimous points decision against the unbeaten Sam Goodman of Australia in December last year.