‘Ninja’ promises to do to Harry what Arsenal did to Real Madrid
Boxing
The headline fighters of the crowd-pulling showdown vowed to redeem themselves in their rematch.
High-profile ex-convict Paulus ‘Ninja’ Shimweefeleni has vowed to take down former two-weight world champion Harry ‘The Terminator’ Simon in their rematch, citing Arsenal’s iconic win against Real Madrid as inspiration.
This follows what fans labelled a disappointing NinjaHarry Against Crime exhibition bout, which ended in a stalemate in Windhoek last December.
This year’s bout will see new organisers, Kinda Promotions, in collaboration with the Faith Foundation, take over from the MTC Salute Boxing Academy.
At their first press conference held in Windhoek yesterday, the headline fighters of the crowd-pulling showdown vowed to redeem themselves in their rematch, set for 14 June at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.
The match, which has yet to secure sponsorship, aims to combat crime by steering youth away from the streets, reintegrating them into the community and helping restore their dignity.
‘I am back to make my fans happy’
Shimweefeleni, a former gang leader who was released last March after serving 25 years in prison for murder and armed robbery, said he saw the need for a second swing at Simon as a way of getting back in the good graces of his fans.
“After my fight against Harry Simon last year, they [fans] were disappointed. And that’s why I am back - to make them happy again, as I have dedicated this fight to bring them back to me,” he said.
Referencing Arsenal’s historic win over UEFA Champions League titleholders Real Madrid, becoming the first English club to win twice at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu (2006 and 2025), Shimweefeleni vowed to emulate the same feat.
“If you know me, you know I am a good supporter of Arsenal. I will do to Harry what it [Arsenal] did to Real Madrid,” he remarked.
The self-taught mixed martial artist added that the return bout is different as he now has a new coach, Titus Joseph. “I am now in the good hands of [Joseph]. This man has changed all the things I have been training. I am now a new person because of him, with much more speed. I now know how to release my punches, not like before. My fans are going to enjoy and leave that stadium smiling,” he assured.
Shimweefeleni was previously coached by Tobias Nashilongo and Elifas ‘Smacky’ Namundjebo.
Reiterating Shimweefeleni’s sentiments, Joseph said: “I am not coaching Ninja - I am cooking Ninja. This fight will not be the same as last time. [Simon] is my role model. I started boxing because of him, but he should expect war from us. This is not the Ninja he knew last year - he is now a boxer.”
‘His punches won’t catch me’
In response, the former world title holder from August 1998 until 2002, Simon said: “[Cook], I will eat. I am ready to counter whatever Ninja has planned.”
He admitted that he is a bit out of shape, but assured that he started training two weeks ago. “I still have to lose weight. I need my strength back, but I am taking it one day at a time. I will be in good shape on the day of the match and just be as fast [if not faster] than Ninja.
“He has got quite the punch, but I will make sure none of his punches catch me, just like in our last fight [in one of the rounds],” he noted.
To the fans, Simon promised that their second bout will be entertaining. “They are going to have a great show. It will be different [compared to last time] this time. I don’t think there will be a knockout - maybe a lucky punch. So, I am calling on all boxers and enthusiasts to come and support us.”
– [email protected]
This follows what fans labelled a disappointing NinjaHarry Against Crime exhibition bout, which ended in a stalemate in Windhoek last December.
This year’s bout will see new organisers, Kinda Promotions, in collaboration with the Faith Foundation, take over from the MTC Salute Boxing Academy.
At their first press conference held in Windhoek yesterday, the headline fighters of the crowd-pulling showdown vowed to redeem themselves in their rematch, set for 14 June at the Oshakati Independence Stadium.
The match, which has yet to secure sponsorship, aims to combat crime by steering youth away from the streets, reintegrating them into the community and helping restore their dignity.
‘I am back to make my fans happy’
Shimweefeleni, a former gang leader who was released last March after serving 25 years in prison for murder and armed robbery, said he saw the need for a second swing at Simon as a way of getting back in the good graces of his fans.
“After my fight against Harry Simon last year, they [fans] were disappointed. And that’s why I am back - to make them happy again, as I have dedicated this fight to bring them back to me,” he said.
Referencing Arsenal’s historic win over UEFA Champions League titleholders Real Madrid, becoming the first English club to win twice at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu (2006 and 2025), Shimweefeleni vowed to emulate the same feat.
“If you know me, you know I am a good supporter of Arsenal. I will do to Harry what it [Arsenal] did to Real Madrid,” he remarked.
The self-taught mixed martial artist added that the return bout is different as he now has a new coach, Titus Joseph. “I am now in the good hands of [Joseph]. This man has changed all the things I have been training. I am now a new person because of him, with much more speed. I now know how to release my punches, not like before. My fans are going to enjoy and leave that stadium smiling,” he assured.
Shimweefeleni was previously coached by Tobias Nashilongo and Elifas ‘Smacky’ Namundjebo.
Reiterating Shimweefeleni’s sentiments, Joseph said: “I am not coaching Ninja - I am cooking Ninja. This fight will not be the same as last time. [Simon] is my role model. I started boxing because of him, but he should expect war from us. This is not the Ninja he knew last year - he is now a boxer.”
‘His punches won’t catch me’
In response, the former world title holder from August 1998 until 2002, Simon said: “[Cook], I will eat. I am ready to counter whatever Ninja has planned.”
He admitted that he is a bit out of shape, but assured that he started training two weeks ago. “I still have to lose weight. I need my strength back, but I am taking it one day at a time. I will be in good shape on the day of the match and just be as fast [if not faster] than Ninja.
“He has got quite the punch, but I will make sure none of his punches catch me, just like in our last fight [in one of the rounds],” he noted.
To the fans, Simon promised that their second bout will be entertaining. “They are going to have a great show. It will be different [compared to last time] this time. I don’t think there will be a knockout - maybe a lucky punch. So, I am calling on all boxers and enthusiasts to come and support us.”
– [email protected]
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