WBO Africa middleweight champion Walter “The Executioner” Kautondokwa will have his hands full when he meets Argentina’s Billi Godoy on Tuesday, March 20 at the Ramatex Complex.
Earlier this week Godoy, along with trainer Patricio Retondero, confidently proclaimed to reporters at a press conference that he’ll beat Namibia’s Kautondokwa, who is a strong favorite to retain his title.
“I’m very happy to be here, I have trained very hard,” he said. “I expect a tough fight, but I know I can beat Walter.”
“I respect Walter, but I have also fought against big-name boxers,” he continued. “I have fought against some of the best boxers in the world, and I expect to win.”
The 31-year-old Godoy has a wealth of experience in the ring, having turned professional 11 years ago and carrying a record of 36-4 (17 KOs).
He’s fought primarily in his native Argentina throughout his career. He’s fallen short each time he’s stepped, most notably to world title challenger Jorge Sebastian Heiland, who KO’ed Godoy in 12 back in 2013.
But by traveling to Namibia for this fight, he shows a willingness to fight in hostile territory.
“It doesn’t matter to me whether I fight Walter here or back home in Argentina, it’s all the same for me,” he said.
“It’s tough to say whether I’ll win by points or a knockout, because Walter is a very good boxer, and I respect him. All I can say is that it will be a great fight.”
Kautondokwa may be the less experienced fighter, but he is also older, having turned 33 last November. He won the WBO Africa 160lb. title with a sixth-round TKO over Chimwemwe Chiotcha in 2016. He carries a glistening 16-0 record, having stopped all but one inside the distance.
“You can see plenty of fights of Billi on Youtube, but there is only one video of Walter on Youtube, so I don’t know if they are trying to hide something,” said trainer Retondero. “But Billy is used to fighting tough opponents, so it won’t be a problem for him.”
Their showdown will be the main fight in the Legacy Independence Boxing Bonanza, which features six other fights on the undercard.
In the chief support, Jeremiah Nakathila will defend his WBO Africa junior lightweight title against Patrick Okine of Ghana.
Mikka Shonena will defend his WBO Africa welterweight title against Idd Pialari of Tanzania.
Other boxers on the card include Harry Simon Jr., Timoteus ‘Remember’ Shuulula, Paulinus Paulus and Max Ipinge.
The action starts at 19h00, and the entrance fee is N$500 for VIP tickets and N$50 for general tickets.
