WINDHOEK – It might sound like he’s blowing his own trumpet but Namibia’s former world champion Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda is not entertaining any thoughts of losing when he squares off against Chilean opponent Cristian Palma for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF)/World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight International titles, on Saturday.
The spacious Omuthiya Park is the chosen venue for yet another boxing bonanza, where local boxing fans will get the opportunity to witness firsthand Ambunda try to wrestle the vacant title, while at the same time seeking some redemption following his defeat in his last bout.
Speaking at a well attended press conference in Windhoek yesterday, Ambunda pulled no punches and assured his fans that he would not repeat the same mistakes that saw him lose his WBO bantamweight world title to Japanese boxer Tomoki Kameda last year.
All in all a victory for Ambunda against Palma will go a long way in defining the Namibian’s future prospects in the super bantamweight division – a division he recently moved into from the bantamweight category. But with local boxing enthusiasts pinning their hopes on the shoulders of Ambunda to bring the coveted titles home, his opponent Palma made it crystal clear that his intention is also not to lose and foresees no major obstacles in his path that would stop him from achieving that feat.
Fan favourite Tyson Ushona promised to pick up from where he left off in his last bout against South African opponent Kaizer Mabuza, whom he dispatched on points. Ushona defends his WBO Africa welterweight belt against Ghanaian opponent Ebenazer Lamptey.
On the same bill, Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro will aim to extend his recent winning streak when he puts his WBO Africa cruiserweight title on the line against Alphonce Mchumistumbo from Tanzania in what promises to be a thrilling bout between the two bulky boxers.
Meanwhile, Swapo regional coordinator for the Oshikoto Region, Armas Amukwiyu, heaped praise on the MTC Nestor Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy for having taken the bold decision to stage professional bouts in the Oshikoto Region for the first time, adding that the region was well prepared to support local talent and be part of the excitement.
The boxing academy’s principal sponsor MTC injected new impetus into the academy’s operations when it handed over a sedan vehicle to assist with the smooth running of its daily functions.
By Otniel Hembapu