HARRY Simon Jr is champing at the bit ahead of the most significant fight of his fledgling career to date.
The 22-year-old Walvis Bay native will challenge WBA Africa and IBF International junior welterweight champion Jabulani Makhense (26) of South Africa in Johannesburg on 21 March.
Simon Jr (11-0) is looking to make a name for himself and follow in his famous ex-world champion father’s footsteps.
Beating Makhense, who remains undefeated after nine fights, in his backyard and on prime time South African television will propel him into the limelight as a serious campaigner.
“I know this is a big test, the biggest fight of my career to date but I am ready for this challenge and an opportunity I have been waiting for all my life. I will be bringing the two belts home and become the champion I was destined to be,” a confident Simon Jr said.
Makhense is dubbed a rising star in his country and has notched up impressive victories in his brief career.
But he has never faced a tricky, powerful and skilful opponent like Simon Jr, said MTC Sunshine Promotions promoter Nestor Tobias.
Simon Jr has scored nine stoppages which makes him a dangerous opponent for Makhense, who has four to his name.
“This is a huge opportunity for him to make a name for himself. He is going to face a tough and tricky opponent fighting at home, but I have confidence that he can get away with a win. It will not be easy but he is a born champion, he is committed, he is skilful and I cannot wait for him to show the world what he is made of,” Tobias said of his protege.
“We are excited about this fight and we will shock everybody at the Emperors Palace when he steps into the ring on the eve of Namibia’s 30th Independence celebrations, what a special occasion it will be,” he added.
Like his challenger, Makhense is looking to gain further experience on the international stage. That inexperience has not stopped South African boxing legend Brian Mitchell seeing him as a “future superstar”.
That he he is already the holder of two continental championship titles in just night fights is no mean feat, his handler Sebastian Rothmann said.
He defeated compatriot Xolani Mcotheli on points to capture the vacant World Boxing Association Pan African super lightweight title in February last year.
Makhense added the International Boxing Federation’s Continental Africa super lightweight strap to his collection in September after beating experienced and highly regarded Congolese Marios Matamba.“He is an intelligent young man who is not only willing to learn, but he can grasp things quickly if I have to work on his technique,” Rothmann told Rekord.
The fight will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
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