… Japan TV here today
WINDHOEK – A boxing scribe from the Japanese national broadcaster will arrive in Windhoek later today to witness first hand how Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala, prepares for his eagerly awaited upcoming World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight world title bout against title holder Tomoki Kameda.
The fight is slated for Osaka, Japan on the 3rd of next month when the Namibian boxing sensation will trade leather with the Japanese world champion, who dethroned Naidjala’s compatriot Paulus ‘Rock’ Ambunda to claim the crown. Recently, the Kameda brothers rewrote the history books when all three siblings became world champions after Kameda defeated Ambunda on points to strip him of his world crown. A day after the fight, the Guinness Book of World Records held a befitting ceremony for the Kameda brothers to accord them well-deserved entry into its annals. “Kameda is the current WBO Bantamweight world champion and we respect him for that,” said Naidjala’s handler Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias. “We are grateful for the opportunity to challenge for the world title, this was unexpected but we will go to Japan to do our very best.” Tobias added that this will not be the first time that a boxer from his stable challenges for a world title in Japan. “We went there with Hitman and came back victorious and we are going there again and will try to do the best for our country.”
Naidjala is the incumbent WBO African champion, as well as the IBF International champion but this will doubtlessly be the biggest fight of his rising boxing career. “As a team, we are all working hard to prepare him and are confident he will make us proud,” said Tobias. The Japanese national broadcaster owns the TV rights to the fight that will also see another Kameda brother defend his WBA world title on the same bill (in Japan), which promises to be an exciting night of classic boxing. The Japanese media obviously take the fight very seriously and as part of the build-up they are coming to Namibia to do several interviews and to see Naidjala go through the paces, because this is how world-class broadcasters sell fights by creating excitement.
Quizzed whether Namibians will be able to watch the fight live, Tobias said it is too early to tell and that they are making every effort to engage both NBC and Supersport to make this possible. “TV rights come at a hefty price and the figures are not determined by us, but we would like to call upon our government and other stakeholders to assist NBC to raise the required N$612 000 to bring this mega fight live to all Namibians. It is extremely difficult to fight away from home, especially in countries like Japan that boast a massive population and to know that you have your home support watching you on television will psychologically help the boxer to stay focused. That is why we will appreciate it highly if Namibians join hands to have this live broadcast become a reality.”