By Michael Uugwanga
FRESH from retaining his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global Flyweight title, Namibian boxer Fillemon Nghutenanye has called out WBO Flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga for a potential world title fight.
Nghutenanye retained his WBO Global Flyweight title last Saturday in Windhoek, stopping Berland Robles of the Philippines by a fourth-round technical knockout (TKO) at the Windhoek Country Club Resort.
Speaking to Confidente after the fight, Nghutenanye said he is ready to face the best boxers in his division as he looks to establish himself among the world’s top fighters.
“Anthony Olascuaga is a fight I would really like to have. I respect him as a fighter, but I believe I have what it takes to compete at that level. If the opportunity comes, I will be ready to step up and prove myself against him,” said Nghutenanye.
Namibia has not had a world boxing champion since 2018, when retired boxer Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda held the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Super-Bantamweight world title.
Nghutenanye believes a fight against a recognised world champion such as Olascuaga could provide him with the opportunity to prove that he belongs at the highest level of the sport.
“I showed that I belong at the top and that I’m world-title level. I’ve proven that I can compete at this level, and now I’m looking forward to getting my opportunity to fight for a world title. I believe my time is coming, and I’ll be ready when that opportunity arrives,” he said.
Although his latest victory over Robles was one of the more comfortable fights of his career, Nghutenanye is yet to face a highly ranked opponent, something a bout against Olascuaga would change.
The Swakopmund-born boxer started his sporting journey as a footballer before making the switch to boxing. He says entering the boxing gym changed the direction of his life.
“I actually started out as a soccer player. Then I was introduced to boxing, and at first, I didn’t know where it would take me. But once I stepped into the gym and started learning the sport, something changed. I fell in love with boxing, and it became more than just a sport to me,” he said.
Nghutenanye, who counts American boxing legend Floyd Mayweather among his idols, also has ambitions beyond his own fighting career.
He said he hopes to become a boxing promoter in the future and use his experience in the ring to create opportunities for young fighters and contribute to the development of boxing in Namibia and the region.
“Looking beyond my career as a fighter, I also have a vision of becoming a boxing promoter in the near future. I want to give back to the sport that has given me so much, create opportunities for young fighters, and help develop boxing and talented boxers in our region.
“I believe my journey as a fighter will give me the experience and knowledge to make a difference as a promoter,” said Nghutenanye.
