Namibia is a small country located in the south-western corner of Africa. It is home to some of the best boxers in the world, who have achieved international success in the sport.
These boxers have been able to make a name for themselves and have shown that they are capable of competing with the best in the world. In this article, we will be looking at some of the best boxers from Namibia who have made a name for themselves in the ring.
We will look at their successes, their backgrounds and the influence they have had on the sport in Namibia.
1. Harry Simon
Harry Simon is a former professional boxer from Namibia. He is renowned for being a two-weight world champion, having held the WBO junior middleweight title from 1998 to 2001 and the WBO middleweight title in 2002. In 2002, Simon was involved in a serious car crash.
After a long legal battle, he was eventually found guilty of “culpable homicide” and sentenced to jail in 2007. Culpable homicide is a legal term used to describe an accidental killing that is deemed to be the result of reckless or negligent behavior.
In this case, the court found that Simon was responsible for the death of another person as a result of his careless behavior while driving. The incident was a tragic one, as it resulted in the death of an innocent person and the incarceration of a world champion boxer.
Simon served his time in prison, and upon his release in 2011, he was determined to turn his life around and put the past behind him. He returned to the boxing ring and continued to win accolades for his exemplary performances.
2. Julius Indongo
Julius Munyelele Indongo is a professional boxer from Namibia. He is a former world champion in the light-welterweight class, having held the WBA, IBF, and IBO titles between 2016 and 2017.
During his amateur career, he represented his country at the 2008 Olympics in the lightweight bracket and managed to reach the first round. Indongo has achieved a great deal of success in the boxing world.
He is a two-time world champion, with his first world title coming in 2016 when he won a unanimous decision against Ricky Burns to become the unified light-welterweight champion.
He was able to defend his title in 2017 against Eduard Troyanovsky before losing it in a unification bout with Terence Crawford. Indongo is a highly decorated boxer, with numerous international championships.
He was the African Boxing Union Lightweight champion in 2014, and the WBA International Super Lightweight champion in 2015.
He has also won multiple regional championships in Namibia, including the Namibian National Featherweight title in 2006 and the Namibian National Lightweight title in 2007. Indongo’s success in the ring is a testament to his dedication and hard work.
He is an inspiration to many aspiring boxers in Namibia and beyond. He has shown that with enough determination and a never-give-up attitude, anything is possible.
3. Paulus Moses
Paulus Moses is a professional boxer from Namibia. He achieved a great milestone in his career when he won the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title in 2009 and held onto it for a year until 2010.
After such an impressive career, Moses decided to retire from boxing on October 20th 2018, shortly after a tough loss in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa middleweight fight in Accra, Ghana.
This defeat seemed to be a turning point for him, and he decided to hang up his gloves for good. His career in boxing was a successful one, and he made a name for himself as a formidable lightweight champion.
Moses will always be remembered for his impressive accomplishments and his bright legacy in the boxing world.
4. Paulus Ambunda
Paulus Natangwe Ambunda is a Namibian boxer who has had an impressive career in the sport. He first made his mark in the 2004 Summer Olympics, where he participated and represented his country.
His professional career boasted a number of accomplishments, as he captured the WBO bantamweight title in 2013. Additionally, he held the IBO bantamweight title twice, in 2015 and 2018.
Throughout his career, he has continued to represent Namibia in the sport and has made a name for himself as one of the top boxers in the world. He is an inspiration to many aspiring boxers and a credit to the sport.
5. Immanuel Naidjala
Immanuel “Prince” Naidjala is an up-and-coming Namibian boxer in the bantamweight division. He began his professional career on October 31, 2009, when he knocked out Daniel Ausik in the third round.
His impressive boxing skills have earned him recognition in the sport, and in his 11th fight, he knocked out Emmanuel Simbeye and earned a WBO Africa belt. Naidjala is quickly becoming a force in the bantamweight division.
His impressive arm speed and footwork make him a formidable opponent. He is also known for his power, which he demonstrated by knocking out both Ausik and Simbeye.
His accomplishments have earned him the respect of his peers and have established him as a rising star in the sport. Naidjala is also a popular figure in his home country of Namibia.
He is seen as a role model for aspiring boxers in the country and has been featured in numerous media outlets.
He has also received recognition from various international organizations for his impressive career. Naidjala has a bright future ahead of him in the sport and is sure to continue to impress with his boxing skills.
He is a great example of what hard work and dedication can achieve, and his fans are sure to be excited to follow his career as he continues to climb the ranks of the bantamweight division.
6. Japhet Uutoni
Japhet Uutoni is a professional boxer from Namibia, specializing in the light flyweight division. He is well-known in his native country, having won the 2005 Namibian Sportsperson of the Year award, as voted by the Namibian newspaper.
In 2006, he achieved another remarkable feat by winning a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, after successfully defeating Darren Langley of England in a points match.
Four years later, at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Uutoni was able to earn another medal for Namibia, a silver this time. These achievements have cemented his legacy as one of Namibia’s greatest athletes and boxers.
7. Bethuel Ushona
Bethuel Ushona is a professional boxer from Namibia. He is a highly successful fighter, having achieved several titles in the World Boxing Association (WBA) and World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Ushona’s success has extended to the international stage, as he has also competed for the Commonwealth title. Unfortunately, he fell short in that particular match, losing to Denton Vassell.
Ushona is a highly experienced and talented boxer, having achieved a great deal in the sport. He has been a dominant force in regional competitions, winning a number of titles in both the WBA and WBO.
His skill and experience have also enabled him to compete on the global stage, as he has fought for the Commonwealth title. Despite his impressive record, Ushona was unable to get the win against Vassell in the Commonwealth title match.
He put up a strong performance, but it was not enough to overcome the formidable Vassell. Nevertheless, Ushona has proved himself to be a great boxer, and he has certainly earned respect and admiration for his many accomplishments.
8. Helalia Johannes
Helalia Lukeiko Johannes, more commonly referred to as Hilaria Johannes, is an accomplished long-distance runner from Namibia. She has achieved success in the 10 km, 20 km, half marathon, and marathon events, holding the Namibian records in each of these events.
She has used her talents to become a three-time winner of the Namibia Marathon and a two-time winner of the KIA Half-Marathon. At the ripe age of 39, Hilaria Johannes has achieved her greatest success yet, winning the bronze medal in the marathon event at the World Championships.
This feat is especially impressive considering the physical and mental toll that long-distance running takes on an athlete.
This accomplishment has not only earned her recognition nationally but also internationally, showcasing her remarkable talent and determination. Hilaria Johannes is a prime example of how hard work and dedication can pay off, even later in life.
Despite being an older athlete, she has managed to stay competitive with younger athletes and achieve success at the highest levels of competition. Her story is an inspiration to athletes of all ages, showing them that it is never too late to chase their dream.
9. Jonas Jonas
Jonas Junias Jonas is a professional boxer from Namibia who has recently achieved great success in the sport. He is currently competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics, representing his country in the sport of boxing.
Jonas is an accomplished boxer, having won multiple national and international titles. He is a two-time African and International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion.
His most recent title was the IBF Continental Lightweight champion in 2015. Jonas is an inspiring athlete who has overcome many obstacles to reach the 2016 Olympics. He grew up in a small town in Namibia and had to constantly fight for the opportunities to train and compete.
Despite the challenges, Jonas persevered and worked hard to make his dreams a reality. He has since become an important role model for young athletes in Namibia and around the world. In addition to his boxing career, Jonas is also an active member of the Namibian community.
He is a strong advocate for youth sports and education and uses his platform to inspire and motivate young people to pursue their dreams.
Jonas is a true inspiration for all who strive to achieve their goals, and his success at the 2016 Olympics is a testament to his determination and hard work.
10. Willbeforce Shihepo
Willbeforce Shihepo is a professional boxer from Namibia. He has been boxing professionally since 2010 and has had a successful career as a boxer. He was born in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1988.
He started his boxing career at the age of 10 and has since become one of the most successful boxers in his country. He has won many titles in the ring, including the WBO Africa Super Middleweight title in 2016.
He has also fought some of the biggest names in the sport such as Anthony Joshua, George Groves and WBC Super Middleweight champion David Lemieux.
In 2018, he made history by becoming the first Namibian boxer to win a major world title when he beat the then-WBA Super Middleweight champion Fedor Chudinov.
Willbeforce Shihepo is a highly accomplished boxer and has been ranked as one of the top 10 boxers in the world in his weight class. He is also a highly respected figure in the sport and is known for his commitment to his craft and his dedication to training.
He is a role model for many aspiring boxers in Namibia and is a symbol of hope and inspiration for young people in Namibia.
11. Mathias Tulyoongeleni Hamunyela
Mathias Tulyoongeleni Hamunyela is a Namibian professional boxer who made an impressive run at the 2016 Summer Olympics. During his amateur boxing career, he competed in the men’s light flyweight event and managed to defeat Rufat Huseynov in the first round of the tournament.
Unfortunately, his run was cut short in the second round, where he faced Birzhan Zhakypov and was ultimately defeated.
Despite not bringing home a medal from the Olympics, Mathias’ participation in the competition is an incredible accomplishment and speaks to the hard work and dedication that he puts into his boxing career.
Mathias’ victory over Rufat Huseynov in the first round is a testament to his skill and determination, and he can certainly be proud of the way he represented himself and his country at the Olympics.
His performance is an inspiration to all aspiring athletes, and it is a reminder that hard work and dedication can help anyone reach their goal.
12. Mujandjae Kasuto
Mujandjae Kasuto is a Namibian amateur boxer who has represented his country at two Olympic Games. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he competed in the junior welterweight division but was unfortunately eliminated in the early rounds.
Despite his early defeat, Kasuto’s determination and hard work have earned him respect both in his home country of Namibia and internationally. Kasuto has been involved in boxing since he was a young boy and has trained in the sport for many years.
He has participated in numerous competitions, both at the national and international level.
His hard work and dedication have seen him become a recognized figure in the amateur boxing world and his commitment to his sport has been rewarded with selection for the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Although he did not achieve the success he was hoping for in the Commonwealth Games, Kasuto’s Olympic appearances are a testament to his talent and skill as a boxer.
He has also been recognised by various organizations such as the Namibian Boxing Federation, for his contribution to the sport in the country. His career is an inspiration to aspiring boxers in Namibia and all over the world.
13. Paulus Ali Nuumbembe
Paulus Ali Nuumbembe is a Namibian professional welterweight boxer who has earned the nickname “The Silent Assassin” due to his quiet and composed demeanor in the ring. Nuumbembe is a former Commonwealth champion, having won the Namibian welterweight title in 2000.
He represented his home country at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.
Nuumbembe is a highly decorated athlete, having won numerous medals and awards over the course of his career, and is considered one of the best welterweight boxers in the world.
He is a true testament to the strength and resilience of Namibian athletes and continues to be an inspiration for many aspiring athletes.
14. Vikapita Meroro
Vikapita Meroro is an accomplished Namibian boxer. He is a professional light heavyweight boxer and has fought for the prestigious WBC Youth World super middleweight title. Meroro began his career with an impressive win against Elijah Kwenaetsile in a points victory.
This victory was an important milestone in his career, as it propelled him to the top of the Namibian boxing scene and eventually to the world stage. Meroro has since gone on to fight in multiple bouts, including those for the WBC Youth World title.
He has consistently shown great skill and determination in the ring and has earned the respect of both his peers and fans. His hard work and dedication have made him one of the most successful Namibian boxers in the world.
With his impressive record and ever-growing fan base, Meroro has continued to make a name for himself in the world of professional boxing.
15. Joseph Benhard
Joseph Benhard is a Namibian professional boxer who has had a successful career. He has competed in several major international events, including the 1996 Summer Olympics and the 1994 Commonwealth Games.
At the 1996 Summer Olympics, Benhard competed in the light flyweight division and faced off against Spanish boxer Rafael Lozano in the first round. Unfortunately, he was unable to win the match and was eliminated.
Despite the loss, Benhard was still able to represent his home country of Namibia with pride. In addition to the Olympics, Benhard also competed in the 1994 Commonwealth Games, a multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations.
He was a part of the Namibian team at the event, and although he did not win any medals, his presence at the event was still highly appreciated. Benhard has achieved great success in the world of professional boxing, and his contributions to the sport have been admirable.
16. Jonas Matheus
Jonas Matheus is a professional boxer from Namibia. He began his boxing career in 2010 and has since earned a name for himself in the boxing world. He competed as a bantamweight boxer at the 2012 Summer Olympics, representing Namibia on the world stage.
Unfortunately, he was defeated by Italian Vittorio Parrinello in the bantamweight competition. Despite this loss, Matheus is still considered one of the best boxers in Namibia and has achieved great success in his career.
He continues to train and compete in various events, aiming to improve his skills and become a world-class boxer. Matheus is an inspiring figure in the Namibian boxing scene and continues to be an example of what dedication and hard work can achieve.
17. Tobias Munihango
Tobias Mabuta Munihango is a Namibian amateur boxer who had a great opportunity to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Boxing. He participated in the 1st AIBA African 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in January 2008 in Algeria and managed to reach third place.
Unfortunately, he did not qualify for the Olympics due to a technicality. This was a major setback for Munihango, who had worked hard to reach this point and had so much potential to represent Namibia in the Olympics.
Despite not qualifying, he remained determined and kept training, never giving up on his dream of competing in the Olympics.
18. Abmerk Shindjuu
Abmerk Shindjuu is a professional boxer from Windhoek, Namibia. He is the current Namibian flyweight champion which is the lightest weight class in professional boxing.
In addition to this title, Shindjuu has also fought for the Commonwealth flyweight title, a championship for fighters from countries in the Commonwealth of Nations. Shindjuu’s first professional fight was against Petanena Elago, whom he beat in his hometown of Oranjemund with a points victory.
This victory marked the first of many successful fights for Shindjuu, and it launched his career as a professional boxer. Since his debut fight, Shindjuu has proven himself to be a formidable fighter.
He has consistently won his fights and has maintained his title as Namibian flyweight champion.
Shindjuu’s success in the ring has earned him a great deal of respect among the boxing community, and his reputation continues to grow. Shindjuu’s commitment to his profession and his skill in the ring are admirable.
He is an inspiration to young people in Namibia, and his success is evidence that hard work and dedication can lead to great success.
Conclusion
The best boxers in Namibia have shown a great level of skill and determination that has enabled them to compete at the highest level. They have set a high bar for future boxers in the country and have inspired many aspiring athletes to pursue the sport.
With their accomplishments, they have earned a place in the hearts of many Namibians and have demonstrated that Namibia is a country with great potential in the sport of boxing.
