BOXING: ‘You have talent, let me help’

INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Namibian boxing promoter Nester Tobias believes Zimbabwe can produce more world champions and has vowed to work closely with local pugilists.

The Windhoek based promoter, who runs the MTC Nester Sunshine Tobias Boxing Academy, plans to use his strong links with global sanctioning bodies to produce world champions from Zimbabwe. His stable has staged several fights for Zimbabweans and last night, former World Boxing Organization Africa Super Middleweight Pan African champion Tinei Maridzo, was scheduled to take part at the Final Punch to the World Title Boxing Bonanza held in Windhoek.

Speaking to The Sunday Mail from his base, Tobias gave his seal of approval to Zimbabwean boxing talent.

“Zimbabwe was one of the top boxing nations on the continent some years back and I have a strong respect for boxers from that side.

“They have the potential to become world champions in the near future and that is where we want to come in and assist. “My stable enjoys good relations with the big four sanctioning bodies that is the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organisation, World Boxing Association and the International Boxing Federation, so it should not be a problem pushing boxers towards those titles.

“Zimbabwe and Namibia have a strong political and business relationship so working together should not be a problem at all,” said Tobias.

The Namibian promoter whose stable boasts of a world champion – Paulus “The Hitman” Moses who was set to defend his WBO International lightweight belt last night –said he could assist Maridzo regain his place among Africa’s elite super middleweight boxers, “only if the boxer plays according to the book.”

“I know he (Maridzo) has the qualities but it is all about how he performs against the renowned fighters. We would want him to fight for quality titles and not some of these nameless belts.

“It is all up to him, the chances are bright, like I said I have strong international links and I do not see why one day he cannot fight for a respected world title,” said Tobias. Namibia is one of the avenues in the region that local boxers have used to keep their careers afloat since the turn of the millennium.