Namibia´s top three boxers will all be in action tomorrow night at the Ramatex Factory west of Khomasdal to stage one of Namibia´s biggest sporting events of the year.
In the main bout of the bonanza, Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda will fight the Brazilian William Prado in a WBA/WBO bantamweight world title eliminator.
At a public workout in front of the Pick n` Pay shop in Wernhill Park on Wednesday morning, Prado said that he is going to show what Brazil has to offer in the ring.
“I am happy with the way Namibia has welcomed me”, added the soft-spoken South American via an interpreter.
The 28-year-old from Sao Paolo has to date won 19 (13 by KO) of the 21 fights (one draw, one defeat) in his professional career.
The 31-year-old Ambunda, still unbeaten after 18 pro fights (10 KO’s), was less cordial towards the opponent. “Prado will go down on Saturday night. Prado will fall in each round.”
The local hero even went as far as mocking his challenger. “I only know Brazilian footballers and Brazilian hair, but I have never heard of any good Brazilian boxer.”
The winner of the fight will be in the pole position to challenge for the WBO or WBA bantamweight world title belts.
Also tomorrow night at Ramatex, Bethuel “Tyson” Ushona will face three-time former world champion Isaac Hlatshwayo in a WBO Africa welterweight fight.
The 34-year-old South African is a former IBO lightweight, IBO welterweight and IBF welterweight champion, with a pro record of 36 fights, 30 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw. He has, however, lost his last two fights.
The 30-year-old Ushona has a pro record of 28 fights, 25 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw. In his last fight he suffered a controversial points defeat against Slovenia’s Jan Zaveck for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental title.
In December 2009, Zaveck made light work of Hlatshwayo, when he won on a third round technical knockout.
On Wednesday morning, Hlatshwayo dismissed Namibian newspaper reports that he would be a pushover for Uushona.
“I have worked hard for this fight and came here to bury Tyson.”
A confident Uushona responded in front of a few hundred spectators that Hlatshwayo will receive a beating to remember.”
Subsequently the two boxers almost started a fight, but their managers and coaches managed to keep them apart.
Also in action at Ramatex will be ex world champion Paulus “The Hitman” Moses, who lost his last fight in March against Ricky Burns in Glasgow, Scotland. In his career the 34-year-old has a pro record of 30 fights, 28 wins and 2 losses.
This time Moses will face former three-time world champion Cassius Baloyi, who also carries “The Hitman” as his nickname, in a ten round international lightweight fight.
The 37-year-old South African is a former IBO Super Featherweight, WBU Featherweight and WBU Super Bantamweight champion and has a professional record of 44 fights, 37 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw. Like Hlatshwayo, however, he lost his last two encounters.
After Moses demonstrated some punches on the pads, Baloyi seemed hardly impressed. “He boxes like an old man. On Saturday we`ll see who is the real Hitman.”
The fourth title bout of the evening will be a WBO Africa Flyweight fight between Abmerk Shidjuu and South African Khanyekude Mukhansi.
Shidjuu has fought sixteen times as a pro, with 11 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws to his name so far. Mukhansi has a record of 20 fights, 12 wins, 5 losses and 3 draws.
In addition, there will be five fights on the undercard. In a four round middleweight clash Elias Nashivela and Michael Diwa from Zimbabwe are the first ones to enter the ring at 18h30.
After that the lightweight boxers Samuel Kapapu and Richard Muriri (Zimbabwe) are going to enter the stage, before Peter Malakia and Zimbabwean Shepard Sauti are squaring off in a lightweight fight over 4 rounds.
In two Namibian junior lightweight encounters the talents of Abraham Ndaendapo and Matthew Chimbi as well as Manfred Haimbanga and Niilo Frans will be featured.
Namibia's leading promoter Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias said that his fighters were in good shape and would offer a spectacular event not to be missed.
Tickets at Ramatex cost N$50 for the grand stand, N$200 for the middle row and N$500 for the VIP seats. They are for sale at Computicket and the Boxing Board offices, while only a small amount will be sold at the venue itself.
In between the fights entertainment will be provided by the following artists: The Dogg, Stefan Ludik, Nakale Ya Nakale, Tequila and Linda.