Windhoek
Following months of feverish build-up and heightened anticipation throughout the country – the much-hyped fight between Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda and Jason ‘Nugget’ Cooper is finally on.
Ambunda, Namibia’s very own son of the soil and International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Super Bantamweight World champion will this Saturday make his first title defense against a young and determined Cooper from Australia at the Ramatex Hall in the capital.
Looking cool, calm, and collected, the 25-year-old Australian arrived in Windhoek on Sunday where he was yesterday officially presented to the media at the Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino, which will serve as his base for the next few days.
In a short, but well-calculated speech during the breakfast press conference, Cooper – who is fighting for the first time in Africa – expressed satisfaction with his level of his preparedness and overall readiness for the fight, saying Ambunda is now his only focus.
“I truly respect and admire Ambunda’s fighting style, but I’m prepared to do what I do best, and that’s winning the fight. As for the fight, I prepared for this fight for almost three months and I can say I’m happy with my form,” Cooper, who turned professional in 2011, told the press.
Since turning professional, the Australian’s career has been on the rise. He became two-time Queensland Featherweight Champion in 2011 and 2012, before capturing the IBO Asia Pacific title in 2013.
This year Cooper, who boasts a record of 14 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw from 17 fights, won the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Oceania Super Bantamweight title after defeating Fernando Ocon of the Philippines.
Earlier this year Ambunda also made boxing history by becoming a two-time world champion, when he trounced Argentinean boxer Leandro Esperante to clinch the vacant IBO Super Bantamweight world title.
Tickets for the Ambunda/Cooper clash are available at all Computicket outlets, Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide. General tickets cost N$100. VIP tickets N$500 while a VVIP table seating ten (10) people cost N$ 10 000.