February a big month for Tobias’s academy

February a big month for Tobias’s academy Two international fights lined up Vikapita Meroro has a date in Johannesburg on 4 February, while Japhet Uutoni will step into the ring in Dallas on 25 February. JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA

The MTC Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy will have a busy February, with two of its boxers involved in international fights.

First up will be cruiserweight boxer Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro, who will fight South Africa’s Kevin Lerena on 4 February at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Meroro has a record of 33 fights, 28 wins and five losses, while the South African has 16 wins and one defeat from 17 fights.

The Namibian’s last fight was in Moscow, where he was knocked out by Russian Dmitry Kudryashov in May.

Trainer Nestor Tobias believes that his boxer has dusted himself off after the defeat and is ready to pounce again.

“Despite his last loss against a highly rated boxer, Meroro remains a good boxer and we have given him this opportunity to prove himself and return his confidence.

“He will have to sacrifice his holidays and dedicate the time to intensive training to ensure that he is physically and mentally ready come 4 February 2017,” Tobias said.

Current WBO junior flyweight international champion Japhet Uutoni will step into the ring with Angel Acosta from Puerto Rico for the final world title eliminator on 25 February.

The fight will take place in Dallas, Texas, and will be promoted by MC Cotto Promotions.

Tobias explained that a final world title eliminator is when two top-rated fighters are given an opportunity to fight each other, and the winner will become the mandatory challenger to fight the current world champion.

“In the case of the WBO junior flyweight title, the world title is vacant after the champion moved up one division. On 30 December number-one rated Moises Fuentes (Mexico) will fight number-two rated Kosei Tanaka (Japan) for the vacant world title, and the winner will have to fight the winner between Uutoni and Acosta,” he explained.

Uutoni is currently rated fourth by the WBO while Acosta is rated fifth in the junior flyweight division.

The Namibian boxer will go into the fight with a record of 13 fights, 12 wins and one loss, while Acosta is unbeaten with 15 straight wins.

“This is a big opportunity for Uutoni. He has worked hard since being an Olympic boxer. His big break is here now and he must win this fight if he wants to fight the world champion.

“We are also making history as MTC Sunshine by having our very first title fight in the USA. Iit is not easy to go and fight there but we are there now and humbled by the opportunity not just to be present but to go and compete and win.

“It is a real pity that we cannot stage the fight in Namibia due to financial constraints and that is why we had no option than to fight away,” said Tobias.