Letshikgwane Continues To Struggle Against Namibian Opponents

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday April 9, 2018 12:26

The local boxer came into the bout after two past losses to Namibian opponents. Letshikgwane lost the six rounds bout by unanimous decision with a score of 45-50, 45-59 and 56-58.

The first round started on a high note with both boxers launching attacks on each other. Letshikgwane launched a big right hand on Shuulula in the first few minutes.

The punch upset the Namibian who then rained punches on Letshikgwane and the referee had to intervene. Shuulula was strong and throwing quick punches. Before the end of the round, he threw his opponent into the canvas.

Letshikgwane started the second round with a new strategy of moving all over the ring. It was a way of trying to cool down Shuulula whose punches were clearly becoming heavy on him. Letshikgwane tried to make perfect head movements to dodge his opponent’s punches.

He then landed an upper cut on Shuulula forcing the Namibian to retreat to the corner. The fight continued with that intensity and by round five, the two boxers were starting to show fatigue.  Shuulula brought Letshikgwane down with a right jab. He did not give up as he also retaliated with a strong left punch.

Speaking to Monitor Sport after the fight, Shuulula showed respect to Letshikgwane, saying he was a tough opponent.  He said he came prepared for Letshikgwane.

“It is my first time to fight in Botswana and I am happy with the win. Letshikgwane gave me a good fight. He should work on his endurance because he got tired in the second round. I wanted to finish him in the second round because I normally finish my opponents in the second or third round,” Shuulula said.

Letshikgwane said he has been working hard to prepare for the fight. He said the main challenge was that he had work commitments which made it difficult for him to focus on training.

“I knew that Namibians are tough opponents and they have painful punches. I could tell that he wanted to knock me out in the first and second round by the way he was punching.

I did not have stamina, I was tired and I did not punch that much,” he said.

Letshikgwane said he had to use his legs for defence because Shuulula’s punches were painful.  He added that his guards were down most of the time and he had to punch and go.

In other bouts, Tshepo Khutloeng of Bond Boxing Club lost by split decision against Moabi Ngaka of Scud Boxing Club and Thabiso Mpolokeng of Bond won by unanimous decision against Onkarabile Mothibedi of Scud Missile club.

The main event which was a junior welter weight of six rounds between Kapena Hamutenya of Namibia and Tshepiso Mokgadi ended with a draw.