Telecom Namibia on Wednesday announced a sponsorship of N$120 000 for a Boxing Bonanza that will feature three African title fights at the Windhoek Country Club Resort and Casino on April 30, 2010.
The Triple WBO African Title Boxing Bonanza will see three Namibian pugilists Ali Nuumbembe, Paulus Ambunda and Martin Haikali defending their WBO African titles against local and foreign opposition.
Haikali will defend his WBO African lightweight title against compatriot Jatoorora Tjingavete, whom he beat in their last encounter to claim the title. It will be the third encounter between the two boxers, with each claiming one victory, and once again a close encounter can be expected.
Ambunda, who is still unbeaten after 10 fights will defend his WBO Bantamweight title against the promising South African boxer, Tendai Munayi, who has won 11 of his 12 pro fights to date.
In the main fight of the evening Ali Nuumbembe will defend his WBO African welterweight title against another promising South African, Boisthepo Mandawe.
Nuumbembe has a pro record of 22 wins, four losses and one draw, compared to Boisthepo’s record of 13 wins, one loss and one draw.
At Wednesday’s press conference, Oiva Angula, the Senior Manager: Corporate Communications & Public Relations at Telecom said that they were delighted to be associated with the three pugilists and aimed to transform them as brands for Namibia on the African continent and subsequently on the global stage.
“Creating opportunities to advance the careers of these young Namibians is money well spent and this is an area where we as a company need to do our part in terms of the development of boxing and development of youth and the country as a whole,” he said.
Angula said they were proud of the successes achieved by Namibian boxers and would continue to sponsor the sport ‘for a long time.’
“We are currently busy reviewing our modus operandi in sponsoring boxing, with a view to improving its effectiveness, comprehensiveness and inclusiveness while maintaining our status as a staunch sponsor of boxing, both at an amateur and professional level. The details of this will be announced at a later stage as we are still in the process of hammering out the details of our intended method of working with the boxing fraternity,” he said.
Five more fights featuring Namibian, South African and Zimbabwean boxers will appear on the undercard.
In a welterweight fight over four rounds, Mandume Pohamba of Namibia will take on compatriot Edison Kandukwa,
In a featherweight fight over six rounds, Abmerk Shidjuu will take on Smanagliso Madonsela of South Africa and in a lightweight fight over six rounds Peter malakia will take on Richard Muninu of Zimbabwe.
In a bantamweight fight over four rounds Immanuel Naidjala will take on Tapiwa Tembo of Zimbabwe, while Jason Naule will take on Modecai Donga of Zimbabwe in a welterweight fight over six rounds.