WINDHOEK – Yesterday’s boxing press conference was headlined by nothing but an exchange of heated verbal missiles between Namibia’s boxing wunderkind Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala and his South African opponent Gideon Buthelezi, with each promising to do serious harm to the other.
Speaking at a well-attended face-off press conference in Windhoek, Naidjala was first to unleash a tirade of verbal jabs at Buthelezi, promising to stretch the South African to the limit with some painful tactics specially designed for him before sending him to the cleaners in the middle rounds when they clash for the WBO African bantamweight crown at the Windhoek Country Club tomorrow.
Further outlining his intentions, Naidjala said he is well prepared for the fight and is ready to adjust to any style of fighting Buthelezi throws at him.
“I’m ready to do it any style and if he hits me I will hit him back and if he does not go for the knockout then I will knock him out. It’s my last fight for this year and I want all my fans to come out in huge numbers to witness firsthand what I do best,” said a relaxed Naidjala.
On the other end of the table, an unfazed Buthelezi partly refused to be drawn into the usual trash talking of boxers but was quick to caution the Namibian to carefully choose his words as he could end up eating humble pie come tomorrow evening.
“It’s my first time fighting in Namibia but I’m already feeling at home, so tomorrow it’s all about getting down to serious business. I don’t want to say much at this point but I have to warn Naidjala not to underestimate me because what he can do I too can do, so he must equally be careful and be well prepared for the fight. Otherwise, I just want to urge all local boxing fans to come out in their hundreds and support us, it’s going to be a great night,” said a confident Buthelezi.
In the main supporting bout of the evening, local fan favourite and WBO African light welterweight title holder Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo will face veteran boxer Kaizer Mabuza from South Africa, in what is expected to be one of his toughest fights to date. There will also be other mouth-watering undercards to support the main attractions.
The tickets are going for N$200 for general tickets and N$10 000 for a table seating 10 people with refreshments and snacks. Tickets are available at the Namibian Boxing Control Board, the Sunshine Boxing Academy and at Computicket outlets at all Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide.
By Otniel Hembapu