A cool and confident Paulus Ambunda promised a polished display against Tasha Mjuaji of Tanzania when they meet in the main bout of the Otji Festival Boxing Bonanza at the Paresis Stadium in Otjiwarongo on Saturday.
The two boxers came face to face for the first time on Wednesday ahead of the boxing bonanza that includes nine fights and is promoted by Salut Boxing Academy.
“I have prepared well, I’m in top shape, I’m injury free and I have no stress. This team is the winning team. The nation has been waiting for the Rock to shine in the ring and I will deliver. We are ready and won’t leave any stone unturned to win the fight,” Ambunda said.
Mjuaji’s coach Rashid Rashid, spoke on behalf of his boxer and promised a tough fight.
“We love Namibian boxers and we know they have talent, but we have greater skills – Tasha has been training a lot and he will be ready. I understand that Paulus Ambunda is a former world champion, but he should be ready on Saturday,” he said.
Ambunda will be fighting under the banner of Salut Boxing Academy for the first time, since leaving MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy last month.
Ambunda will be fighting for the first time in more than a year, since losing the IBO world super bantamweight title to Moises Flores of Mexico in June 2016.
He still has an impressive record of 24 wins and two defeats, while Mjuaji has a record of 15 wins, 6 defeats and 2 draws. Mjuaji has only won one of his last five fights, with two ending in defeats and two being drawn.
In the main supporting bout, Nathaniel Kakololo and Matheus Kandala will meet again in a rematch, after Kakololo won their first fight on points over six rounds six months ago. Since then Kakololo also beat Dominicus Weyelu to win the national interim featherweight title and he was in no mood to depart with it yesterday.
“The talk is over and now it’s time for action. Kandala, you will need to be extra ready for me, because I am the champion and the title will remain with me,” he confidently predicted.
Kandala was more reserved.
“Thanks for giving me the opportunity to fight for the title. I don’t have anything to say – I’ll let my fists do the talking in the ring,” he said.
–Helge Schütz
