…Ambunda says no more room for error
WINDHOEK – After losing the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight world title to Japanese boxer Tomoki Kameda, former Namibian world champion Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda yesterday made it clear that his only ambition is to reclaim his world champion status and not even Nestor Hugo Paniagua will stop him from realizing that dream when they meet for the vacant WBO International Bantamweight title.
Ambunda will do battle against Paniagua from Argentina for the WBO International Bantamweight title on May 17 in the northern town of Omuthiya at the Omuthiya Park.
The WBO International Bantamweight title was relinquished by Thai boxer Pungluang Sor Singyu, who now challenges Japanese holder Tomoki Kameda for the WBO Bantamweight world title on May 3. Singyu is the same boxer whom Ambunda defeated to claim the WBO Bantamweight world title in March last year, while Kameda also happens to be the man who subsequently defeated the Namibian to take over the Bantamweight world title in August last year.
Ambunda, who boasts a record 20 wins and 1 loss from 21 fights said there won’t be any room for error when he confronts Paniagua, who boasts 24 wins, 7 losses and 2 draws from 33 fights.
In action in the co-main bout of the bonanza will be Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Ushona who squares off against Carlos Herrera also from Argentina or Phillip Ndou from South Africa for the WBO International Welterweight title over 12 rounds. Tyson, who has been given ample time to carefully select his preferred opponent, will have to settle for nothing but a win, because he is currently rated second in the world by the WBO and a possible victory will move him even closer to the Welterweight world title. The WBO International Welterweight world title was abandoned by Phillipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, who now challenges Timothy Bradley of the USA for the WBO Welterweight world crown on the 12th of next month. Meanwhile, Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro will also be in action, but his opponent is yet to be announced with the rest of the boxers featuring on the card on that night.
By Otniel Hembapu