Maqonda Ndlovu
South Africa’s pugilist Thatho ‘Captain Charisma’ Bonokoane says he will do his talking in the ring when he faces Namibia’s Fillipus ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa for the vacant World Boxing Organisation Africa Super Bantamweight Title over 12 rounds.
The two boxers will fight in the ‘Together as One Part 11’ boxing bonanza, scheduled for this coming Saturday at Country Club in Windhoek.
The bonanza will also see the women’s exhibition boxing match between Lukisha van Wyk and Mellisa Sekela, which is expected to open doors for women’s boxing to be legalised in Namibia.
Bonokoane yesterday said, soon after arriving from South Africa, he met his opponent for the first time in Windhoek during the face-off.
“I am here to fight; I am one of the toughest boxers he will ever fight. WBO Africa has given both of us a great opportunity. We can talk as much as we want about who is tough, who is knocking out people or who is doing this and that. At the end of the day, life has a way of working things out. There are things that you think you confirmed; life always has a way of changing them,” Bonokoane said.
He added that he is prepared for the fight – and when he gets in the ring, the hands will talk differently from the mouth.
Hi opponent, ‘Energy’, was bullish, saying he was ready to redeem himself, following his defeat to John Casemiro.
“I am ready to take on Bonokoane. The vacant title will remain at home. Everything went well in terms of preparation. I never fight when I am not ready. I prepared well, and I am ready,” he said.
Promoter Nestor Tobias called on Namibians to come in numbers and watch two great fighters battle it out for the African title.
Bonokoane has a record of 14 wins, nine of them via knockouts, five defeats and three draws.
He is also the current World Boxing Federation junior featherweight champion.
Nghitumbwa has a record of 12 wins (11 of them via knockout) and two defeats.
Meanwhile, Tobias has revealed the card for Together as One Part 11, which will feature 10 bouts, with the main attraction being the Nghitumbwa versus Bonokoane fight.
Edward Mbango will face David Johannes in a junior lightweight four-round battle, with Nestor Amukoto fighting Deacor Shipahu in a welterweight four-round swinger.
Martin Mukungu will hope to continue with his meteoric rise as he faces Magret Nepembe in a four-round lightweight fight and Lieekela Nghifandaka clashing with Immanuel Jason.
Sam Matheus will fight Abel Joseph, with Alfeus ‘Mosquito’ Shaanika confronting Sakaria Amutjaa. Nestor Thomas, clashing with Matheus Nghikevali and Sebastian Nathaniel, will fight against Andreas Nginaunye.
The penultimate fight of the night will be between Matheus Heita and Jonas Shikukutu before the main bout between ‘Energy’ and ‘Captain’.