Boxing for Baby Metha

Flaim ‘Special One’ Nangolo will top the bill, but Baby Metha will be the main cause at the Rising Stars Boxing Bonanza scheduled for 10 June at the Nampower Convention Centre. 

At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday Imms Moses of AC Boxing, who will promote the bonanza, said that that Baby Metha suffered from a severe medical condition.

“Baby Metha is a six-month-old baby who has one of the most severe medical conditions and unfortunately the medication needed for her treatment is very expensive. According to the latest doctor’s report, Baby Metha has suffered a devastating brain injury,” he said, adding that she had very little brain tissue left because of encephalomalacia, which results in the loss of brain tissue due to a disruption of blood flow to the brain. 

Moses said they hoped to raise about N$500 000 that is needed for medical costs for Baby Metha.

“There has unfortunately been little prospect of improvement of her condition, and as a result she needs urgent medical care to better her condition. We are therefore inviting the public to our boxing and dining event where we will get to witness boxers from the African continent and beyond fight as we raise funds through pledges and sponsorships for the little girl. The event will be solely aimed to raise funds for this cause and your support will be highly appreciated,” Moses said, adding that the medical care will be provided in India. 

Moses, who can be reached at 081 3155070, thanked all their sponsors and partners, and called on the public for contributions.

The event will see a total of nine fights with Nangolo the headline act. Nangolo, who is unbeaten after eight fights and the current African Boxing Union super featherweight champion, will take on the experienced journeyman from Zimbabwe, Tinashe Mwadziwana in a non-title super featherweight fight over 10 rounds.

The 34-year-old Zimbabwean has a patchy record of 17 wins and 14 defeats, with nine of those defeats coming in Namibia. 

He already had his first fight in Namibia 15 years ago when he lost to Smoky Joe Hilongwa, and since then he has lost to the likes of Immanuel Naidjala and Abmerk Shindjuu, and more recently to Nathaneal Kakololo and Mateus Heita. 

Nangolo is much younger, at 21, but he has built up a promising unbeaten record, winning the Namibian super featherweight title two years ago when he beat Abraham Ndaendapo on points, while he added the ABU super featherweight title when he beat another Zimbabwean Ndodana Ncube in November last year. 

The main supporting bout will feature two foreign female fighters, with Kudakwashe Chiwanddira of Zimbabwe taking on Thanchanok Pha-man of Thailand, while the rest of the fights will feature Namibian boxers. 

Hedison Bulelo, who takes on Usko Rehabeam in a catchweight fight over six rounds was very bombastic yesterday, saying that he would give Rehabeam a boxing lesson, while the reserved Rehabeam took it all in good humour. 

In other fights, Alfeus ‘Mosquito’ Shaanika will take on Phill Desosa in a six-round welterweight fight; Hafeni Ngesheya will take on David Shinuna for the national  junior lightweight title over 10 rounds, Ruan Rispel will face Shikulo Linekela in a lightweight fight over four rounds, Robert Ndalelwa takes on David Johannes in a junior welterweight fight over four rounds, and Andreas Johannes takes on Abel Joseph in a lightweight fight over four rounds. 

Featherweight Petrus Salomo will also be in action but his opponent must still be announced.