Former WBA Lightweight Champion Paulus Moses Scores First-Round Knockout in Namibia

WINDHOEK, Namibia—Former World Boxing Association lightweight champion Paulus “The Hitman” Moses (27-1, 19 KOs) bolstered his chances of another title shot on Saturday by scoring a first-round knockout over Argentine opponent Miguel Lombardo at the Windhoek Country Club Resort in Namibia.

Moses landed a picture-perfect body shot near the end of the opening stanza that sent Lombardo to the mat where the referee counted him out at just 2:59 into the contest.

“I love fighting in my hometown of Windhoek in front of the people who know me best and support me most,” Moses said after the victory.  “My goal is to fight for another world championship, and the people of Windhoek provide me all the inspiration I need.

“Don King is my promoter and he said I would win by knockout, and that is just what happened.  I know he believes in me and will soon find the opportunity for me to become champion again.”

King was pleased his fighter did what was expected of him.

“Paulus Moses and all of his fans in Namibia are serving notice to the rest of the boxing world that another title fight is warranted,” King said.  “Paulus fights for himself, his hometown and his country.  That is what makes him great.”

Moses scored a fifth-round technical knockout victory over Sergio Omar Priotti, also from Argentina, in a spirited contest held on Nov. 25 in Windhoek.

Moses traveled to Japan in 2008 and defeated Yusuke Kobori to win the WBA lightweight crown.  Interim WBA lightweight champion Miguel Acosta, from Venezuela, trekked to Windhoek for a showdown with Moses on May 29. He handed Moses the sole loss of his career to become the outright WBA lightweight champion.