NAKATHILA’S BOUT IS MAIN CARD, TOP NAMIBIAN BOXERS ROOT FOR LOW-KEY IN HIS 5TH USA FIGHT
It’s a big morale booster for Namibia’s celebratedJeremiah “Low-Key” Nakathila (26-4, 21 KOs).
His 10-round bout tonight at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, against unbeaten American southpaw Abdullah Mason (18-0, 16 KOs) has now been elevated to the main card. This follows the cancellation of the earlier main card between Keyshawn Davis and Dominican Edwin De Los Santos after Davis failed to make weight. Davis has subsequently been stripped of the WBO lightweight world title.
While featuring in the main card is prestigious in pro boxing, for Nakathila he finds it normal.
“It’s very normal for me. However it adds more fuel in the tank. This is my fourth time in the main card and one co main- event,” said Nakathila who is the CEO of boxersworld.co.ke, one of Africa’s top boxing sites.
Nakathila has already warned Mason to expect an explosion in the form of what he said was a tsunami punch in this eagerly awaited fight in Africa especially in Namibia.
“He will not see that tsunami punch coming, it will hit him hard with full force,” said a confident Nakathila on his fifth fight in the USA.
He wants the American to make several trips to the canvas before the referee waves it off.
Two top Namibian boxers, Africa featherweight champion Tryagain Ndevelo and Africa silver medallist Gebhard Ipinge have tipped their countryman to flatten the American boxer before his home fans.
Ndevelo has a lot of Faith on Nakathila whom he said is their inspiration.
“He knows what it takes to be there since it’s not his first show in the USA, I see him putting the American down,” said Ndevelo, adding:”He has a unique kind of power punching, every boxer wants that technique.”
How should he approach the fight?, I ask Ndevelo.
“He has to make sure he doesn’t fight Mason, less punches but effective and powerful just to avoid making mistakes.
“I see the American boxer struggling the moment Low-Key Nakathila uses his lead hand to set up the right, at least three straight punches will keep the young boy at bay. That way Nakathila will have less pressure and must circle to his left using his strong right to unsettle the American not giving him time to map out any strategy.”
Ipinge, light-heavyweight silver medallist in the 2024 African Championships in Kinshasa, advised Nakathila to calculate his punches well to avoid being reckless facing a young opponent who is fast with 16 inside the distance victories.
“I hope he surprises a lot of guys, those who don’t believe in him,” said Ipinge.
“I believe he can deliver because Low-Key is tough. It will be a redemption fight for him in the US having lost twice consecutively in his previous fights there. I do believe he will knock out the American boy but if they go the distance he will lose on points as the boy is fast and tactical.
“Being the only Namibian to win in the US he inspires many young boxers. He really inspired me winning in America and I train alongside him when I’m in Windhoek.”
Indeed Africa is rooting for Nakathila. Go! Go! Low-Key hit him harder in the early rounds to dismantle his game plan. Let him feel the weight of raw African power. Nothing is impossible so long as you belieeeeeeeeve in yourself to inflict the first defeat for Mason.
• Abdullah Mason 134.5 lbs vs. Jeremia Nakathila 134.8 lbs
(Mason’s NABO & NABF Lightweight Titles— 10 Rounds)
• Kelvin Davis 140 lbs vs. Nahir Albright 139 lbs
(Vacant Silver US WBC Junior Welterweight Title — 10 Rounds)
(ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT)
• Tiger Johnson 146.5 lbs vs. Janelson Bocachica 146.8 lbs
(Welterweight — 10 Rounds)
• Troy Isley 159.9 lbs vs. Etoundi Michel William 159.7 lbs
(Isley’s NABO Middleweight Title — 10 Rounds)
• Keon Davis 149.2 lbs vs. Michael Velez 149.8 lbs
(Welterweight — 6 Rounds)
• Euri Cedeño 160 lbs vs. Abel Mina 158.9 lbs
(Middleweight— 10 Rounds)
• Deric Davis 134.2 lbs vs. Naheem Parker 136.3 lbs
(Lightweight — 6 Rounds)
• Patrick O’Connor 199 lbs vs. Marcus Smith 190.6 lbs
(Cruiserweight — 4 Rounds)
