Peri-Peri has a bantamweight dreamReady to take on the world Amateur boxer Simon ‘Peri-Peri’ Mathews has revealed that it is just a matter of time before he turns professional. Many upcoming boxers face a bumpy road towards success because of having to endure obstacles when they are growing through the ranks.Alcohol and drug abuse has often hampered the careers of many talented sports men and women.
However, one of MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy prospects, Simon ‘Peri-Peri’ Mathews is prepared to go as far as moving mountains to achieve greatness.
As I went into the Tobias gym, I saw a soft-spoken young man working out with some of the boxing legends.
Surrounded by Julius Indongo, Wilberforce Shihepo, Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses- not for once did it cross my mind that Mathews was just an armature in the gym.
I could see determination written all over his face as he wiped off the sweat caused by the heat inside the gym.
His movement during training was one I could not help but admire as I watched him observing how the big boys were sparring at the Katutura Youth Complex.
I was very curios to find out what could have brought this young fella to a gym and a profession where chances of being sent down to the canvas are so high.
Well, the 21-year old from Grootfontein explained to me why he chose boxing as a career.
Mathews developed a love for throwing punches on flesh since he was just a child.
He then decided to embark on a journey to realise his dream.
His first step towards achieving what many would call an impossible dream of becoming a world boxing great given the many talented boxers around the world, came in 2013.
“I used to watch the likes of Harry Simon, Paulus Ambunda and Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses on television.
“My heart told me that this was something I should consider taking as a profession. I was in Grootfontein when Paulus Moses won the WBO lightweight world title for the first time.
“That moment served me as a motivation to actually follow my dreams and that is why I came to Windhoek in 2013 and met boxing trainer SBK Kaperu,” the shy Mathews says.
The young boxer joined the Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias and Fitness Academy and began training with many young other amateurs.
The boxer has already earned accolades which include gold medals from regional and local competitions.
“My plan is to turn professional by next year, so that I can start fighting in the junior bantamweight division at a professional level.
“I want to win the world title and I am going to do anything in my power to accomplish that dream.”
He feels that one day boxing will earn him a big house and a nice car if he just commits himself wholeheartedly.
Mathews is optimistic that walking from Ombili where he stays to the Katutura Youth Complex will pay off one day.
His trainer SBK Kaperu also spoke highly of the talented young man from Grootfontein.
“He is as good as they come because of his commitment to training and the fact that boxing is a game which lives in his heart.
“I have no doubt that he will follow in the footsteps of many talented boxers who graced the boxing ring.
“It is just a matter of time before he turns professional given that we have noticed that the time is almost right for him to take the next step in his career,” Kaperu said.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA