'The talking will be in the ring'

Boxing
The main bout's fighters faced off in front of the media and public yesterday.
Jesse Kauraisa
Namibian boxer Mateus Heita and South African opponent Thato Bonakoane says their fists will do the talking when they meet for the vacant WBA Pan Africa title at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday.

Heita has vowed to make sure that The Beast in him will be unleashed against a fighter Namibia is relatively familiar with.

"I do not want to do much of the talking today, because boxing will do the talking in the ring,” Heita said at the public and media face-off yesterday.

“I have said this before and I will say it again that this is like my second chance and Thato will leave with nothing but only his pay cheque.”

The Heita fight will be the main event of a star-studded evening which will also see Jeremiah (Low Key) Nakathila in action against Tatenda Bunungi of Zimbabwe.

Bonakoane arrived from South Africa yesterday morning as he attempts to take the title home. His last fight in Namibia was against Philipus Nghitumbwa last year, in which he lost by referee stoppage in the first round.

He says he returns an experienced boxer who has been through it all and who is ready to give Heita a tough time in the ring.

"I am a boxer that knows the highs and lows of boxing and coming here is to prove that I am still a very good boxer.

“I am not here to say much to my opponent, but I would like to show him in the ring that I still have it in me to be crowned a champion,” Bonakoane said.

MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing Promotions will host the event, with promotor Nestor Tobias promising fireworks from all the boxers that will be in action on the day.

“I invite people to come in their numbers and support the event, because there will be great entertainment in the ring.

“There will be plenty of talented boxers on the card. This is going to be a memorable night,” Tobias said.

Amateur light heavyweight prospect Pieter Kotze will make an appearance against countryman Jonathan Groenewald, while a fight between two women is also part of the program.

Tickets for general access are selling for N$200, while a table for ten VIPs closer to the ring will go for N$20 000.