Sheefeni Nikodemus
10 June 2011
Boxer Harry ‘Onkugo’ Simon yesterday confirmed his split from manager and promoter Anita Tjombe.
Simon, in a media statement, said Tjombe had voluntarily ended their association less than a year after she had taken up the “challenging task” of managing the former three-time undefeated middleweight world champion.
“The recent announcement by Ms Anita Tjombe to vacate her position as Harry Simon’s manager and promoter has been accepted by Harry Simon and the Harry Simon Onkugo Promotions,” read the statement.
“Her salient objective was to bring Harry back to his days of glory, a task we believe she has tackled with vigour, determination and enthusiasm.
“Her recent separation from this objective is totally voluntary and has not been induced by any form of dispute or dissatisfaction between Harry Simon, Onkugo Promotions or any of our sponsors or associates.”
In addition Simon, like Tjombe, rubbished “insinuations about a romantic relationship” between them, saying such inference was “preposterous and defamatory”.
“What is clear however is that the association that existed between the afore-mentioned parties is that of manager/promoter and boxer and nothing else,” said the statement.
“It is not unusual for novices to confuse this association as romantic, since any manager or promoter of talent is expected to be with proximity of such talent at any given time.”
On Tuesday, Tjombe publicly announced that she would no longer be managing Simon’s affairs and was planning to venture out on her own.
According to the statement, Walvis Bay-born businessman Knowledge Katti – amongst others – is considering taking over Simon’s management.
Katti and Simon are said to have “a life-long association” and the latter has been a keen follower of the boxer’s fights over the years.
Katti and his associates’ had reportedly previously expressed their desire to manage and promote the former ‘Terminator’ at the turn of the century, however were foiled by the fighter’s contractual obligations.
“Huge interest from several influential people willing to come on board has been received to date, but an announcement in this regard will be made after the finalisation of the review process,” said the statement.
“However, we will be receptive to Mr Katti’s decision should he accept the position.”
In the meantime, the boxer’s stable said preliminary talks on Simon’s envisaged fight with Roy Jones Jr have started.
“Jones Junior’s team expressed keen interest to fight Harry, the undefeated. As such, Harry Simon’s team is expected to leave for the United States of America to finalise all details related to the fight before the end of this year.
“Similarly, talks have also commenced on a rematch between Harry Simon and Winky Wright, who has expressed interest to fight Harry Simon anywhere in the world for a purse of U$1,5 million dollars.”
WBC light-heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins is said to be interested in fighting Simon too.
“Talks towards that fight are at an infancy stage,” read the statement. “We shall continue to ensure that Harry Simon remains in perfect shape and well prepared for these and other upcoming fights in order to ensure total victory at all times.”
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Namibia: Simon Confirms Tjombe Split