Hard-hitting super featherweight contender Jeremiah Nakathila has finished the bittersweet year of 2020 on a high.
The Namibian, who is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBO at 130 pounds, put his WBO Global title on the line against Emmanuel Amos last Saturday in his hometown of Windhoek, Namibia.
Nakathila wasted no time in the squared circle as he scored an impressive second-round knockout of his normally durable Tanzanian foe. The Namibian stormed out of his corner and damaged Amos (15-5-1, 8 KOs) with strong jabs and right hooks that sent Amos to the floor twice in the opening frame. The challenger tried his best to keep himself in the fight but Nakathila landed crushing hooks to the body that ultimately concluded the fight sixty seconds into the second stanza.
This was the second straight victory for Nakathila inside of five weeks. In early November, he stopped another Tanzanian in Immanuel Andeleki in five quick rounds in a non-title bout.
Following his most recent victory, Nakathila (21-1, 17 KOs) made sure to send a message to both reigning WBO super featherweight titlist Jamel Herring (22-2, 10 KOs) and former featherweight world champion and now top 130-pound contender Shakur Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs).
“I am clear about who I want to fight next. The supposed best in this division have been ducking me for a long time now. Herring is now doing his second straight voluntary against Frampton and we all know he should have faced me by now,” said the Namibian, referring to Herring’s upcoming championship bout against Carl Frampton that is targeted to take place early next year.
“I am not going to sit around any longer and wait for them. I am therefore sending a clear and strong message to Herring and Stevenson, the time has come to face Nakathila. You can claim you don’t know much about me but all that matters is my record. Let us stop talking and make real fights in this division and give the fans what they want. I am ready to prove my worth because I ain’t scared of anybody.”
Promoter Nestor Tobias, who has been working tirelessly to push Nakathila towards his desired world title appearance, believes his protégé is ready to conquer the division.
“Nakathila has proven to be worthy of a world title shot, he is smart, he is fast and powerful and nothing and nobody can stop him from showing the world that he is one of the best.”
You can reach Tamas Pradarics at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @TomiPradarics.