• Boxing

Nakathila remains positive about future

• 4 Weeks Ago 24 October 2024

Namibian boxer Jeremiah Nakathila remains positive about securing a big fight within the next few months.

The former world-level contender, who fights under MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Promotions, has expressed confidence in the stable and his promoter Nestor Tobias.

Nakathila last fought in August when he beat Jeremia Mhere of Zimbabwe by sixth-round stoppage in a non-title fight at Windhoek Country Club.

The 34-year-old, who has enjoyed some success in the United States of America, feels he still has a lot to offer to boxing in the country before he will even think of retiring.

“As a boxer, one must always remain upbeat for the future, because a big opportunity can come at any time.

“That is why it is important to keep the body fit and to always be ready for any big fight. The good thing is that I have trust in my promoter and will patiently wait for that big fight again,” Nakathila said.

The 34-year-old boasts a record of 24 professional wins, including 20 by knockout. He has lost four of his 29 professional fights, but remains one of Namibia’s few boxers within range of the world’s elite level.

The boxer has had four previous high-profile fights in the USA.

His first fight on US soil was 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.

He 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 Raymond Muratalla (USA) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, as well as by knockout in round 2 to unbeaten USA prospect Ernesto Mercado in Ontario last November.

“I am proud that I represented my country at that level and I would do it over and over again if I happen to get the opportunity.

“I just want to tell my fans that Low-key is not finish yet and he will bring the heat very soon.”

• Nakathila does not currently appear in the top-15 of any of the big four world governing bodies’ ranking lists of lightweights.

Fillipus Nghitumbwa is ranked 9th and 13th among junior featherweights by the WBO and WBC, respectively, while super-middleweight Paulinus Ndjolonimus is the WBO’s number four challenger to the unified king Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.