Windhoek – Just a few months ago, former Namibian Bantamweight World champion, Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda (38), was randomly mocked and labelled a has-been, as far as trading leather was concerned.
However, the soft-spoken boxer soldiered on and let his hands do the talking, as he defied the odds staked against him – let alone his advanced age to claim another world title. His is a second world title and is certainly an astonishing feat by any standards.
Having acrimoniously parted ways with long-time mentor, Nestor Sunshine Tobias, in a desperate bid to revive his ailing boxing career though some pundits described it as the last kick of a dying horse, Ambunda silenced his critics when he stunned the boxing audience by clinching the International Boxing Organization (IBO) Super Bantamweight World title.
The quick-knuckled pocket-size Namibian brought an end to the previously unbeaten record of his Singaporean opponent Muhamad Ridhwan via split decision after brutal 12 rounds of blood, sweat and tears at the Marina Bay Sands Luxury Hotel and Convention Centre in Singapore, on Saturday.
His youthful handler, Imms Moses, was over the moon with the brutal fashion in which Ambunda took the fight to the homeboy and could not heap enough praises on the veteran boxer.
“The Rock put up a staggering display of unbelievable ferocity complemented by sheer skill, confidence, and determination while demonstrating a big heart required in bouts of such magnitude.
“To be honest, he was, in the end, a well-deserved winner by a split decision, but I must be bold enough and give credit where it is due by applauding the “Chosen Wan”……he was a worthy opponent and has nothing to be ashamed of with a hearty performance like that”.
Ambunda reclaimed his IBO World Super Bantamweight belt, which he lost almost two years ago on home soil to Mexican challenger Moises Flores for the unification IBO/WBO World Super Bantamweight title.
He became world champion in 2013 after he defeated Panya Uthok for the WBO World Bantamweight title. On Saturday, the judges gave the Namibian the nod with the following scorecards: 115-113, 112-115 and 116-111.