Undefeated World Boxing Association lightweight champion Paulus Moses (25-0, 17 KOs) will defend his title in the capital city of his native Namibia on May 29 in a showdown against WBA interim lightweight champion Miguel Acosta (26-3-2, 20 KOs). Don King Productions won the right to promote the match in a WBA purse bid of $150,000 and will present the event in association with Namibia-based Nestor Sunshine Promotions. Per WBA rules, the champion will received 55% of the purse and the interim champion 45%.

Moses, who was born in Okapya and now resides in Windhoek, traveled to Japan in 2008 and defeated then-champion Yusuke Kobori to win the WBA lightweight crown. He successfully defended the title on July 25 at the Winkhoek Country Club Resort when he won a unanimous decision over Takehiro Shimada.

Acosta, from Caracas, Venezuela, won the WBA interim lightweight title fighting on the same night—July 25—in Grand Mayan, Mexico, where he stopped previously undefeated Urbano Antillion in round nine. He now stands as mandatory challenger to the champion.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Acosta said from Venezuela. “At one point, I thought this fight would happen in my home country. I knew Moses was willing to fight me here, so that’s why I’m willing to go to fight him in his hometown. I don’t care where the fight is as I plan to prove I am a true world champion.”

Acosta lost three consecutive fights early in his career, but he has not lost since 2003 and is currently riding an impressive 17-fight winning streak.


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