Nakathila gets another chance in USA
Boxing
Namibian boxer Jeremiah Nakathila has once again received a big chance to appear at a Top Rank Boxing event in the USA, after securing to fight an unbeaten young American, Abdullah Mason.
The boxer will be jetting to the United States towards the end of May in a fight scheduled for 25 June at the Scope Arena Norfolk in Virginia.
This will be the fifth time the Namibian will be trading leather in the United States, making him the Namibian with most fights in the USA at such a level.
Nakathila expressed excitement regarding the prospect and hopes to represent Namibia with flying colours.
“This is an great opportunity for me, because I will be once again representing my country at a global stage in America.
“It will be my fifth time fighting in that country, but it is just as exciting as if it would be my first time.
“Fighting at such a level, or getting such an opportunity just means that people around the world have noticed my talent and enjoy putting me on such an important event,” the 35-year-old Nakathila said.
His first fight on US soil was in Las Vegas in June 2021 against Shakur Stevenson (current WBC lightweight champion) when he challenged the American for the interim WBO super-featherweight world title, but lost unanimously on points.
The Namibian returned to the USA in March 2022 and impressively dominated former world campion Miguel Berchelt of Mexico in a non-title fight in Las Vegas. Berchelt was knocked down in round 3 and suffered heavy punishment before retiring after round 6.
In May 2023, Nakathila lost by an early technical knock-out to a younger and stronger American, Raymond Muratalla (still unbeaten at 22-0), at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as well suffering a knockout in round 2 to unbeaten USA prospect Ernesto Mercado in Ontario last November.
During 2024 he racked up three wins against outclassed African opposition. Zimbabwe’s Evans Husayihwevhu withstood him for ten rounds before Nakathila was announced the unanimous points winner at Ramatex Hall in Windhoek, before knockout victories against two more Zimbabweans – Jeremia Mhere (round 6) and Tafadzwa Mushando (round 1).
The opponent
This June, he will be up against a vibrant 21-year-old fighter who has a clean record of 18 wins, with 16 of them coming by knockout.
Mason’s 18 professional fights since his debut in November 2021 lasted only a total of 54 rounds – an average of 3.0 per fight.
“I know he is undefeated, but I am not afraid of the challenge because such challenges are what I live for,” Nakathila said.
The boxer will be jetting to the United States towards the end of May in a fight scheduled for 25 June at the Scope Arena Norfolk in Virginia.
This will be the fifth time the Namibian will be trading leather in the United States, making him the Namibian with most fights in the USA at such a level.
Nakathila expressed excitement regarding the prospect and hopes to represent Namibia with flying colours.
“This is an great opportunity for me, because I will be once again representing my country at a global stage in America.
“It will be my fifth time fighting in that country, but it is just as exciting as if it would be my first time.
“Fighting at such a level, or getting such an opportunity just means that people around the world have noticed my talent and enjoy putting me on such an important event,” the 35-year-old Nakathila said.
His first fight on US soil was in Las Vegas in June 2021 against Shakur Stevenson (current WBC lightweight champion) when he challenged the American for the interim WBO super-featherweight world title, but lost unanimously on points.
The Namibian returned to the USA in March 2022 and impressively dominated former world campion Miguel Berchelt of Mexico in a non-title fight in Las Vegas. Berchelt was knocked down in round 3 and suffered heavy punishment before retiring after round 6.
In May 2023, Nakathila lost by an early technical knock-out to a younger and stronger American, Raymond Muratalla (still unbeaten at 22-0), at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as well suffering a knockout in round 2 to unbeaten USA prospect Ernesto Mercado in Ontario last November.
During 2024 he racked up three wins against outclassed African opposition. Zimbabwe’s Evans Husayihwevhu withstood him for ten rounds before Nakathila was announced the unanimous points winner at Ramatex Hall in Windhoek, before knockout victories against two more Zimbabweans – Jeremia Mhere (round 6) and Tafadzwa Mushando (round 1).
The opponent
This June, he will be up against a vibrant 21-year-old fighter who has a clean record of 18 wins, with 16 of them coming by knockout.
Mason’s 18 professional fights since his debut in November 2021 lasted only a total of 54 rounds – an average of 3.0 per fight.
“I know he is undefeated, but I am not afraid of the challenge because such challenges are what I live for,” Nakathila said.
Kommentaar
Republikein
Geen kommentaar is op hierdie artikel gelaat nie