Local boxer Anthony Jarman is now the national welterweight champion after beating Pohamba ‘The President’ Mandume in Windhoek on Saturday. Jarman and Mandume went up against each other at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino. Prior to the fight he had promised a night of fireworks, and Jarman delivered in the 10-round bout. The first five rounds saw Mandume being put under pressure, with Jarman keeping him at a distance and landing some well-aimed jabs. ‘The President’ however stood firm and he gave it his all, determined to finish the 10-round bout. Appearing somewhat exhausted, the two boxers exchanged more body punches in the seventh to the ninth rounds and the crowd almost saw the man who dominated the ring (Jarman) sent to the canvas, but he was strong enough to stand his ground. Crowning the new king Jarman was crowned as the new national welterweight champion on a majority decision, with judges scoring the fight 92-98, 90-100, 95-95 in favour of Jarman. Speaking to members of the media shortly after being crowned champion, Jarman said he is surprised that he went up to 10 rounds, but he is not surprised that he won. “As I told you before, I already saw the belt around my waist. Yes you can see it, it’s here,” he beamed, adding that his win is a great achievement and motivation for him. “Now I want to go further. My next step is the African titles and then to go international,” he stated. Jarman added that he will now return to the gym and train harder. He now has 10 fights, nine wins and only one loss under his belt, while Mandume has a record of 13 fights, five wins, six losses and two draws. Mandume told Nampa it was a good fight. He however said people should not give up on him as he is “still in the business” and can win other titles. “Losing is part of the game,” he said. Boxing promoter Kinda Nangolo told Nampa he knew Jarman was a tough fighter, and now they are “going to sit down and talk”. “I promise you this guy is a champion and I have big plans for him,” he said. In the supporting bouts, Celestinus Haingura won on an anonymous decision against Ngunda Dorian in a four-round under-card Bantamweight fight. George Iita also won on a unanimous decision in an under-card featherweight fight against Peter Philipus. Sebby Sheuyange beat Johaness Ishono by technical knockout (TKO) in the first minute of their featherweight bout, while Eric Kalenga beat Mathew Kandala on a unanimous decision, also in a featherweight fight. In three lightweight fights, Niilo Costa Frans beat Michael Kambunga on a majority decision; Kennedy Kamati beat Varde ‘Swapo’ Ndayambwekwa on a unanimous decision; and Gabriel Imalwa beat Chris Ukelo on a majority decision. In the only welterweight under-card fight, Paulus Petrus won against Lukas Mukete on a unanimous decision. Saturday’s boxing bonanza was promoted by Kinda Boxing Promotion and sponsored by TN Mobile in association with Telecom Namibia.
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