Windhoek
In boxing – if records are anything to go by – history would reveal that the last and only time Namibia’s IBO Super Bantamweight world champion, Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda, lost a fight was against an undefeated boxer who came into that ring as a champion in his own right.
Back in 2013, Ambunda – who now boasts a highly commendable record of 24 wins and only one defeat from 25 fights – made history when he outscored Thai boxer Pungluang Sor Singyu to capture the coveted WBO Bantamweight world title on home soil, becoming only Namibia’s third boxer to win a world title.
Prior to that historic fight against Singyu, Ambunda had not fought a single fight against an unbeaten boxer since turning professional boxer in 2007.
A few months down the line, after winning the title and with the nation still celebrating his newfound glory, Ambunda was back in the ring to defend his title, but this time around against a young unknown, unbeaten and highly determined boxer by the name of Tomoki Kameda from Japan.
With the announcement of Kameda as his next opponent, it was the first time for Ambunda to fight a highly dangerous and undefeated boxer – let alone defending his title for the first time.
Kameda, however, did as was widely predicted by renowned boxing pundits worldwide, by wrestling the WBO Bantamweight world title away from Ambunda, who had by then only held it for six months.
Fast forward to the 7th of May and Ambunda will again be faced with a similar daunting task of negotiating his way past the undefeated and somewhat younger Moises ‘Chucky’ Flores from Mexico, the current Interim WBA Super Bantamweight world champion.
The Mexican has 24 wins and remains unbeaten.
It will be the second time Ambunda fights an unbeaten boxer and from the look of things, there will be no luxury for errors and mishaps.
It’s a do or die fight, which Ambunda must win at all costs – for the sake of history, if not for the sake of his future boxing career.
The Super Fight – as it has been billed – between the two world champions is slated for the Ramatex Hall in the capital on May 7.
The unification fight, themed ‘Celebrate your Own’, was officially announced yesterday during a press conference at NICE restaurant in Windhoek. The fight will be broadcast live on Supersport across Africa, Germany, the USA and Mexico.
“Such a mega fight comes with a mega budget. As it is in the boxing world, the host must pay all expenses, while enjoying home ground advantage, which is important in boxing. The MTC Sunshine Boxing Academy still needs to raise N$6 million to stage this fight successfully. The MTC Sunshine’s budget with MTC is depleted and thus the need to raise these funds”, said promoter Nestor Tobias.
“We, however, have a strategy in place, which is to sell advertising space to interested Namibian corporates to advertise on Supersport during the fight. Corporates who decide to buy such packages can take advantage of a global audience across Africa, Germany, the USA and Mexico.
“It is thus an excellent marketing opportunity and we encourage corporates to take advantage of it. We’re also in negotiations with the NBC. So far only Multi-Choice Namibia has come on board with a N$200 000 sponsorship.”
Also on the night, Sacky ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu, fresh from a win over Tyson Uushona, will look to expand his horizons when he fights for the WBO Africa Welterweight title against either Jason Bedaman from SA, or Cosmas Cheka from Tanzania, all upon confirmation from the WBO.
The unbeaten Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, the current WBA Pan African Featherweight champion, will step up against Edward Kakembo of Uganda for the WBO Africa and WBA Pan African Featherweight title.
Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala, the current WBO Intercontinental champion, will defend his title against the dangerous Klass Mboyane from SA.
The main undercard will see a refreshing and welcome return to the ring by former WBA world champion, Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses, when he takes on Thompson Mokwane from SA.