By Carlos Kambaekwa
WINDHOEK
Johannesburg-based boxing referee Jacques van der Westhuizen has been appointed to officiate at the eagerly-awaited WBA Pan African Welterweight title bout between Namibia’s Paulus “Ali” Nuumbembe and champion Welcome Ntshingila from South Africa at the Windhoek Country Club Resort tonight.
Rassie Erasmus and Andy Marshall both from Cape Town and Namibia’s Timo Haikonda will be at ringside to keep an eye on the proceedings as judges, while the joint president of the Namibian Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board and the Namibian Amateur Boxing Federation, Kelly Nghixulifwa, will supervise the bouts.
Both boxers were subjected to medical examinations at the offices of the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board in the capital yesterday and the title contestants were given a clean bill of health by the boxing authorities and medical experts.
The pair also came out with flying colours from the weigh-in exercise after the challenger tipped the scales at 66.10 kilograms while the defending champion stopped the gauge at 65.58 kilograms. The required limit is 66.68 kilograms.
There will be seven professional under cards on the menu with local boxers taking on their South African and Zimbabwean counterparts in their respective weight divisions.
Former three time world champion Dingaan “the Rose of Soweto” Thobela, will be at ringside in Nuumbembe’s corner to assist Nestor Tobias with the much needed technical details.
Thobela has thrown his weight behind the Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy in co-promoting Namibian boxers –
a combination that has worked wonders as the pair have produced champion after champion since teaming up over the last couple of years.