American boxing icon Floyd Mayweather made history over the weekend when he earned the biggest purse in boxing history at $41 million (N$410 million) - a huge earning that emanates from his disciplined approach to the sport and the manner in which he has taken care of himself over three decades.
At 36, Mayweather would be deemed to be in the evening of his glittering career but his ring prowess against undefeated Saul Alvarez was enough testimony that contemporary boxing's hottest property will dominate the sport for more years to come.
What caught much of our attention is not Mayweather's impregnable record of 45 wins without a loss or draw, but the manner he has taken care of himself and his career.
This is a critical lesson to Namibia, which over the years has proved to be a fertile ground for emerging boxers.
Namibia had her own jewel in Harry Simon, the biggest boxer the country has ever produced, but whose stay at the pinnacle of the sport - and its riches - was a short-lived fairytale.
Harry's hard fall from grace is well documented and needs no further elaboration. Boxing is a lucrative sport - entertaining and a producer of mass wealth.
Many Namibian boxers are full of potential in the sport but might not reach the commercial levels of Mayweather, due not to their lack of talent but their lack of discipline.
There's little consideration for how the lifestyle of a professional sportsman should be - in terms of regular training, a balanced diet and a healthy distance from destructive activities such as alcohol and drug abuse.
Like many sporting icons, Mayweather is obsessed with money to the point of having changed his sobriquet from 'Pretty Boy Floyd' to 'Money Mayweather' - but his obsession is backed with a strong disciplined approach on how to get it.
He cites Bill Gates, Steve Wynn, Carlos Slim, Mark Cuban, and Warren Buffet, all hugely successful entrepreneurs, as his heroes.
Namibia has sportsmen who have handled their fame - and newfound wealth - with care. Sprint legend Frank Fredericks, whose prime time was dominated by his rivals' use of performance-enhancing drugs, is one classic example of a disciplined athlete.
Namibian rugby player Jacques Burger, who plays for Saracens in the English rugby premier league, is another model of disciplined sportsmanship.
Even with enormous talent, Namibian athletes may only excel if they embrace all facets of sport discipline.
Category: