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From Onamutayi to the worldThe rise of Julius Indongo Namibia is a small country, yet it has produced some of the world's greatest boxers - one of them being Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. Not many people knew who Julius Indongo was until he knocked out Russian boxer Eduard Troyanovsky last year, 40 seconds into the fight.
Where did he come from? There wasn't much video footage of his fights in the past, which made it difficult for his opponents to study him, giving him an advantage.
Some called him a one-hit wonder. Then he returned to the ring in April this year to outclass Scottish boxer Ricky Burns.
Burns did not know what hit him as the rangy Namibian boxer rained blows on his body, something Burns admitted in interviews after the fight.
From that moment many started to notice the mysterious, tall and rangy southpaw. Boxers from around the world noticed the danger man in the super lightweight division with 22 fights and no losses.
They requested to take him on in the ring, promising to floor him if given the opportunity. Indongo responded: “I am always ready.”
However, as much as Indongo's fighting style is extraordinary in the ring, what stands out his how he developd from a humble boy to a professional boxer.
Indongo was born in Windhoek but moved to a village called Onamutayi in the Ohangwena Region to live with his stern aunt, who he calls Meme Anna. She instilled discipline in him from a young age.
He was expected to do chores like the rest of the children in the house. He has six siblings from his mother's side and nine from his father.
“I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, but we were well taken care of. If any of us did anything inappropriate we were punished equally.
“I herded cattle and if I fought with any of the boys and ran home crying, I would receive a hiding and told to return to the cattle post to fight again. That's how I grew up. I learned to be strong at a young age,” the boxer recalls.
He says he knew that he wanted to fight at the age of 15.
“I was trading blows with the boys in my village. If you heard there was a fight in the village, you would know who came out as winner. But it wasn't easy as they also gave me a good beating. But I couldn't show them that I was hurt.”
His potential was spotted by boxing coach Junias Amunyela, who allowed him to spar under his watchful eye.
He punched his way out of the small community and toiled at his career for years and is now fighting on an international stage with the eyes of the world on him.
As much as he is soft spoken during interviews, Indongo understands that it's part of who he has become as he is about to fight the biggest fight of his career when he aims to floor Crawford to claim the undisputed world super-lightweight champion title on 19 August.
“I never wanted to be anybody else when I started boxing. I always aspired to be myself and that is Julius Indongo.”
Indongo encourages young boys who take up boxing to focus on the sport as it can open doors for them. “Don't be attracted to the riches that come with a career in the sport. That's not how it's supposed to be. Be humble and build yourself, so that you can take care of yourself and your family one day,” he says.
“In Soweto where I live, people don't treat me like a famous person and I like that,” he says, smiling.
Recently Indongo was promoted to inspector by police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga because of his achievements in boxing.
Ndeitunga advised the boxer to remain humble in his boxing career and to always remember that he is a national hero for his achievements in sport.
“Boxers in Namibia have to work three times harder than boxers in Europe or elsewhere because we are part-time boxers. We have full-time day jobs, and when we have big fights we have to take leave to prepare.
“We are; however, very passionate about the sport of boxing, and that is why we put in the extra work. We are certainly among the greatest boxing nations of the world, seeing that we only have a population of approximately 2.4 million people and already have produced four world champions.
“I am going to fight Crawford. He is good. But I won't give up till the last minute. The game plan remains the same always,” Indongo says.
“Julius has come a long way,” says his promoter, Nestor Tobias. “He has been doing this for the last 15 years. He never gave up and this is his time to shine. This is his time to make boxing history in Africa.”
Former WBO bantamweight champion, sparring partner and friend Paulus 'The Rock' Ambunda attests to Indongo's dedication to the sport.
“He is a good friend of mine. He is really humble and dedicated. Indongo is the only guy who can beat the American at the moment. All he needs to do is to be focused,” Ambunda says.
He describes his sparring partner as a reserved man who enjoys spending time with his three children when he is not preparing for a fight. “We should support him and look forward to what he can do,” Ambunda says.
Paulus 'Hitman' Moses, the former WBA lightweight champion who has also sparred with Indongo, shares Ambunda's sentiments. “Indongo is an observer.
He listens when advised and takes what he can use. He knows the task that lies before him when he faces Crawford. He is ready.”
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Clik here to view.
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From Onamutayi to the worldThe rise of Julius Indongo Namibia is a small country, yet it has produced some of the world's greatest boxers - one of them being Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo. Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Not many people knew who Julius Indongo was until he knocked out Russian boxer Eduard Troyanovsky last year, 40 seconds into the fight. Where did he come from? There wasn't much video footage of his fights in the past, which made it difficult for his opponents to study him, giving him an advantage.
Some called him a one-hit wonder. Then he returned to the ring in April this year to outclass Scottish boxer Ricky Burns.
Burns did not know what hit him as the rangy Namibian boxer rained blows on his body, something Burns admitted in interviews after the fight.
From that moment many started to notice the mysterious, tall and rangy southpaw. Boxers from around the world noticed the danger man in the super lightweight division with 22 fights and no losses.
They requested to take him on in the ring, promising to floor him if given the opportunity. Indongo responded: “I am always ready.”
However, as much as Indongo's fighting style is extraordinary in the ring, what stands out his how he developd from a humble boy to a professional boxer.
Indongo was born in Windhoek but moved to a village called Onamutayi in the Ohangwena Region to live with his stern aunt, who he calls Meme Anna. She instilled discipline in him from a young age.
He was expected to do chores like the rest of the children in the house. He has six siblings from his mother's side and nine from his father.
“I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, but we were well taken care of. If any of us did anything inappropriate we were punished equally.
“I herded cattle and if I fought with any of the boys and ran home crying, I would receive a hiding and told to return to the cattle post to fight again. That's how I grew up. I learned to be strong at a young age,” the boxer recalls.
He says he knew that he wanted to fight at the age of 15.
“I was trading blows with the boys in my village. If you heard there was a fight in the village, you would know who came out as winner. But it wasn't easy as they also gave me a good beating. But I couldn't show them that I was hurt.”
His potential was spotted by boxing coach Junias Amunyela, who allowed him to spar under his watchful eye.
He punched his way out of the small community and toiled at his career for years and is now fighting on an international stage with the eyes of the world on him.
As much as he is soft spoken during interviews, Indongo understands that it's part of who he has become as he is about to fight the biggest fight of his career when he aims to floor Crawford to claim the undisputed world super-lightweight champion title on 19 August.
“I never wanted to be anybody else when I started boxing. I always aspired to be myself and that is Julius Indongo.”
Indongo encourages young boys who take up boxing to focus on the sport as it can open doors for them. “Don't be attracted to the riches that come with a career in the sport. That's not how it's supposed to be. Be humble and build yourself, so that you can take care of yourself and your family one day,” he says.
“In Soweto where I live, people don't treat me like a famous person and I like that,” he says, smiling.
Recently Indongo was promoted to inspector by police chief Sebastian Ndeitunga because of his achievements in boxing.
Ndeitunga advised the boxer to remain humble in his boxing career and to always remember that he is a national hero for his achievements in sport.
“Boxers in Namibia have to work three times harder than boxers in Europe or elsewhere because we are part-time boxers. We have full-time day jobs, and when we have big fights we have to take leave to prepare.
“We are; however, very passionate about the sport of boxing, and that is why we put in the extra work. We are certainly among the greatest boxing nations of the world, seeing that we only have a population of approximately 2.4 million people and already have produced four world champions.
“I am going to fight Crawford. He is good. But I won't give up till the last minute. The game plan remains the same always,” Indongo says.
“Julius has come a long way,” says his promoter, Nestor Tobias. “He has been doing this for the last 15 years. He never gave up and this is his time to shine. This is his time to make boxing history in Africa.”
Former WBO bantamweight champion, sparring partner and friend Paulus 'The Rock' Ambunda attests to Indongo's dedication to the sport.
“He is a good friend of mine. He is really humble and dedicated. Indongo is the only guy who can beat the American at the moment. All he needs to do is to be focused,” Ambunda says.
He describes his sparring partner as a reserved man who enjoys spending time with his three children when he is not preparing for a fight. “We should support him and look forward to what he can do,” Ambunda says.
Paulus 'Hitman' Moses, the former WBA lightweight champion who has also sparred with Indongo, shares Ambunda's sentiments. “Indongo is an observer.
He listens when advised and takes what he can use. He knows the task that lies before him when he faces Crawford. He is ready.”
LIMBA MUPETAMI