With South African boxers consistently failing to win their fights in Namibia, Zolisa ‘Blazer’ Batyi will attempt to succeed where his compatriots have failed before as he faces world rated Mateus Heita in Windhoek next week.
Fighting for the first time outside South Africa, Batyi will trade blows with Heita in a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa featherweight title contest on Saturday, 9 May.
“We will leave for Namibia next week. We are going there to fight and compete for the title,” Batyi’s mentor Khangelani Jack, who is the 2023 Trainer of the Year award winner, remarked.
This fight is the main supporting bout to the WBO Global junior-featherweight title contest between Fillipus Nghitumbwa from Namibia and Colombian Leonardo Carrillo at a tournament dubbed ‘Tribute to Dr Sam Nujoma Boxing Bonanza’.
In his fight against Heita, Batyi will be attempting to succeed where his compatriots Abdul-Aziz Kunert and Thato Bonokoane failed. Heita, who is rated 10th by the WBO, outpointed Kunert in April last year and registered a third round stoppage win over Bonokoane in August 2024.
And after surrendering his South African featherweight title to Lindelani Sibisi in May last year, the Nxarhuni-based Batyi bounced back with a points win over Awonke Tini in December. Heita will go to the Batyi fight after he stopped Beninese opponent Aliou Clement Loko in the fourth round last November.
Batyi will carry a record of 11 victories with six knockouts, three defeats and a draw to the fight. On the other hand, Heita’s professional record stands at 15 wins with 10 stoppages and one loss.
Meanwhile, Harry Simon Junior will face Zimbabwean Freeman Mabvongwe with Joy Nangolo clashing against SA boxer Rofhiwa Nemushungwa and Naftalie Sheyapo faces Pinehas Johannes. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
