‘Energy’ versus Boyd on hold – The Namibian

FILLIPUS ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa will have to wait a while longer to fight Australian Luke Boyd after the latter suffered an unspecified injury, resulting in the three-belt fight being called off.

The Namibian WBO Global champion was looking forward to his first fight abroad in Sydney, Australia, on 15 March. The fight is for the vacant IBF Intercontinental title, Boyd’s WBA Oceania super bantamweight strap and Nghitumbwa’s WBO Global crown.

A new date is being ironed out, said Nghitumbwa’s trainer and promoter Nestor Tobias.

“The much-anticipated bout has effectively been postponed. This development came about after Luke Boyd sustained an injury yesterday (Saturday) that will take some time to heal,” Tobias said in a statement yesterday.

“The promoters are keen to reschedule this fight as soon as Boyd has healed. We have asked them to give us an indication when Boyd will be able to fight so that we can determine whether we want to wait for them or consider other fights in the meantime. Energy is, of course, disappointed because this was going to be his international debut, but he understands,” said Tobias.

Nghitumbwa (12-1) sees the fight as a great opportunity to announce himself to the wider global audience.

He has racked up 11 knockouts since losing his debut fight to ex-IBO international bantamweight champion Jonas Matheus.

“Those who have seen Energy in action will tell you that he possesses all the qualities to become a world champion. He is fast, he is strong, has incredible boxing skills and a strong chin. His last fight against South Africa’s Sabelo Ngebinyana earned him a lot of respect and he now has an opportunity to show the world what he is made of against a tough opponent away from home,” Tobias said of his protégé.

Boyd also specialises in knockouts, with all 10 of his fights impressively failing to go the distance.

The furthest that he has gone was when he won the Australian super bantamweight title with a sixth round knockout over Robert Trigg in 2017.