I didn't know that punch would destroy him – Indongo

I didn't know that punch would destroy him – IndongoTobias says plan against Russian worked well for his camp The MTC/Nestor Sunshine Academy is celebrating their new world champion, as fight offers stream in from overseas. The man of the moment in the sporting fraternity, Julius ''Blue Machine'' Indongo, touched down at Hosea Kutako International Airport yesterday morning with the two world titles he had won in Russia.

Indongo was welcomed at the airport by family members and boxing fans, and then had a media briefing at a restaurant to show his IBF, IBO junior welterweight world belts.

Indongo thanked his family, fans, sparring partners and trainers for their support.

Asked about the knockout punch that is now the topic of the moment in boxing circles, Indongo said: “When I prepared for this fight, I was very focused and the commitment was there and aware of the punches I will throw.

“When I entered this fight and prepared for it I was very focused and the commitment has been there so all the punches that I have thrown I was aware and whatever punch I released I was already aware of it but I never knew that it is going to destroy him but when I threw it I knew it would catch him.”

Further elaborating on the punch, he said: “I first threw him an uppercut that let him to come and when he came I wanted to give him a hook then I avoided because I saw him coming so that is when I released a stride.”

His promoter, Nestor Tobias of the MTC/Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy, could not stop praising his new champion.

Having produced two other world champions before, Tobias stated that Indongo is the only champion that the country now has.

He said they had a clear plan for the fight but so was Indongo as for them as promoter and trainer was to assist the boxer.

“He (Indongo) has a plan to remain focused and now he is the champion.

“That knockout was one of the best knockouts in the world for this year and now he is even rated second in the world,” he said.

Tobias said he saw some nervousness in the Russian corner, “and I told Blue Machine that we could get him.”

He further praised his boxer by relating him to football, saying that he is now a “premier league champion”.

Tobias also indicated that there has been huge interest from all over the world for boxers to fight Indongo.

“I have already received about 10 offers this far so that just shows that this is a huge achievement and a big title,” he said.

He mentioned that having entered the boxing arena 17 years ago, his aim has always been to groom boxers and get boxing in the country to a certain level.

“I had a plan in 2000 that after 10 years I must have a world champion, and it came too early after eight years, and in 2003 we made another world champion and this year we have made another world champion again,” he said.

He maintained that the achievement by Indongo is the “highest” in the sporting fraternity this year in the country.

Tobias also pointed out that Namibian boxing is growing and urged boxers to work hard for them to qualify to fight outside the country.

“This guy worked hard to qualify fighting outside the country, and that is what all the boxers should do,” he said.

He also urged Indongo to continue working hard and defend his title 10 times before he can retire.

He also indicated that as a promoter he has to educate people about boxing and not personalise the game, stating that, “let us fight for the right title.”



Sponsor''s'' words

The Sunshine Academy''s sponsor MTC also had words of praise for the champion.

MTC spokesperson Tim Ekandjo said: “We are willing to invest, but fight for the right title.

“Guys, do not take shortcuts, fight for the right titles, we are willing to invest and we are now looking forward to who is going to be next as this one is in the pocket.

“When we studied the fight offer, the one thing that we said we do not want in that fight offer is a rematch.

“We said we do not want a rematch, so there is no clause in the contract of rematch so he is free to fight anybody and not bound to any rematch,” explained Ekandjo.

The academy will now discuss what is next for Indongo and also discuss the offers they have received since Saturday.

KAINO NGHITONGO