The “Prince” is back. Former WBO Africa bantamweight king Immanuel Naidjala of Namibia is ready to return to the top of the food chain among African bantamweights today.
The 32-year old Naidjala (pictured right) is set to challenge undefeated South African Mzuvukile Magwaca on October 6 for the IBF Inter-continental title at the ICC in Kimberley, South Africa. Magwaca is the reigning IBF Inter-continental champion.
Naidjala, 23-3-1 (13 KO’s), is on a mission to redeem himself after losing his WBO Inter-continental bantamweight title via unanimous decision to Siboniso Gonya, another South African, in April.
It won’t be any easier versus Magwaca. The undefeated titlist boasts a 19-0-3 record, with 11 wins by KO. He’s inching close to a world title after stopping Yesner Talavera in seven rounds this past July.
“I can now officially confirm that the fight is on,” said promoter Nestor Tobias of the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy. “This is a big fight for Prince and it is against a very experienced opponent, but I still have full confidence in Naidjala and I know that he can win this fight. I wish to make it categorically clear that even though Magwaca also currently holds the WBF bantamweight world title, we are not interested in that title and we will be challenging him for the IBF Inter-continental title.”
Naidjala is equally confident.
“I am excited to get another opportunity to get into the ring,” he said. “sI know I disappointed a lot of my fans in my last fight and I will use this opportunity to redeem myself. Magwaca is a respectable opponent who is undefeated, but I will give him everything I have to make sure we win at all cost. I wish to thank my promoter Nestor and our loyal sponsor MTC for this amazing opportunity. I look forward to 6 October.”
