By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – With this month’s boxing bonanza top acts Paulus Ambunda, Tyson Ushona and Vikapita Meroro all fired up ahead of the showdown slated for Omuthiya on May 17, their international opponents have warned the Namibians not to rest on their laurels as competition will be as tough as nails.
First to take aim was Tyson Ushona’s Ghanaian opponent Ebenazer Lamptey, who promised to send Ushona to the cleaners if he makes any slight mistake when the Namibian defends his WBO Africa welterweight title against him on the night.
Lamptey added that he has every reason to make sure he beats Ushona because the Namibian is currently rated number one by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and is also the mandatory challenger for the WBO welterweight world title currently held by Philippine’s Manny Pacquiao, adding that if he succeeds in defeating Ushona he would take the number one position.
On his part Ushona, who promised a 6th round knockout, said he was well prepared and looking forward to making Namibia proud, adding that he knew the magnitude of the fight and the importance of winning, so there would no mistake from his side.
Also spitting venom was Paulus Ambunda’s Chilean opponent Cristian Palma, who said his only mission coming to Namibia would be to spoil the Omuthiya party for all Namibians and promised to do just that by trouncing Ambunda when they meet for the WBA/IBF international titles fight.
The confident Chilean could however not predict in which round he would stop the Namibian but maintained he would walk away as the victor.
Ambunda, a former WBO bantamweight world champion said he was the hungrier to restore some lost pride and would do everything possible to get past the tough Chilean.
Vikapita “Beastmaster” Meroro will also be in the mix of things when he defends his WBO Africa cruiserweight title against Alphonce Mchumistumbo from Tanzania over 12 rounds of what promises to be an exciting clash between the two bulky boxers.
Tickets are already on sale for N$50 for normal tickets and N$500 for VIP tickets. All tickets are available at Computicket outlets countrywide.