Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda will defend his WBO Africa bantamweight title on Saturday 24 July against South African Klaas Mboyane at the Windhoek Country Club.
This will be Ambunda’s second title defence since he won the title against Lwazi Mzolozi in a second round technical knockout in Windhoek on October 31, 2009. In his first title defence, he beat South African, Tendani Munyai on a third round TKO in April 2010, while he beat another South African, Sipho Nkadimeng on points over eight rounds in a non title defence on May 29.
Nestor Tobias, Ambunda’s trainer said that the fight is to help him improve on his world ranking.
“This fight will improve his ranking, and he is currently ranked number eight in the world. When he gets to number one he will be the mandatory challenger for the world title,” Tobias said.
Mboyane recently lost the South African bantamweight title to Gwazela Nkqubela by unanimous decision on April 5.
“Mboyane is a good fighter, and in order to become the best Ambunda will have to fight the best,” he added.
Ambunda is currently unbeaten after 12 fights, while Mboyane has a record of 12 wins, 7 defeats and 2 draws in 21 pro fights.
“Mboyane will come to Namibia well prepared, but he will meet the Rock who is better prepared for the fight,” Tobias continued.
Ambunda said he was ready to defend his title against the South African.
“I am training very hard for the fight. I have been in the gym since my last fight in May against Sipho Nkadimeng of South Africa and I am training to go the full 12 rounds,” Ambunda said.
“I am ready for the fight and I am just waiting for Saturday night to come. I have no injuries to worry about.”
“I will make Namibia very happy as usual,” Ambunda added.
Shihepo back in action
On the same night Wilberforce Shihepo will fight against John Chibuta from Zambia in an eight round super middleweight fight.
Shihepo was originally supposed to fight Zimbabwean Tineyi Maridzo for the vacant WBO Africa super middleweight title. Maridzo instead chose to fight South African Michael Schultz for the title.
Chibuta has won 12 of his 13 fights so far while Shihepo has lost five out of his 19 fights as a professional boxer. The bout will be fought over eight rounds.
Gotlieb Ndokosho will step into the ring on the same evening against Tawanda Chigwida of Zimbabwe in a junior lightweight fight. Ndokosho has 11 fights under his belt and has won nine of the fights so far with one draw and one defeat. Chigwida has won 10 of his 12 fights with 2 defeats.
Tommy Hango will come up against Zimbabwean Mordecai Donga in a welterweight fight over six rounds. Hango has won 9 of his 12 fights so far while Donga has lost 6 of his 19 fights.
Alfred Kashiri of Zimbabwe will meet Immanuel Naidjala in a bantamweight fight over six rounds. Kashiri has won 3 and lost 2 fights, while Naidjala is unbeaten after 4 fights.
Peter Malakia will meet Lawrence Moyo of Zimbabwe for the second time this year. When they first fought on May 29 Malakia beat Moyo on points bringing his record to 6 wins out of 11 fights. Moyo has 5 wins out of 9 fights.
The first fight of the evening will be between two Namibians, Pohamba Mandume and Anthony Jarman. This will be a junior welterweight fight over four rounds. Mandume has won 1 and lost 2 fights, while Jarman won his debut fight on May 29.
Entrance to the event will be N$100 and the first fight is scheduled to start at 19h00.