Fireworks are expected when Namibia’s Walter Kautondokwa defends his WBO Africa middleweight title against Meshack Mwankemwa of Tanzania at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday night.
The two boxers came face to face for the first time at Post Street Mall in Windhoek on Wednesday, and promoter Nestor Tobias had his hands full as he tried to separate them after they nearly came to blows during their face-off.
Kautondokwa seemed to head butt the shorter Mwankemwa who tried to retaliate, but Tobias immediately stepped in between to separate the boxers.
The confrontation will add spice to Saturday’s ‘Champions in Action’ Boxing Bonanza, with both boxers in confident mood.
“I didn’t come here to lose. I have never lost a fight in Africa so I’ve come to Namibia to do my work and continue that record,” Mwankemwa said.
He was, however, economical with the truth as boxrec.com revealed that he did suffer one defeat in Tanzania early in his career, two years ago. Since then though, he has won the Tanzanian welterweight title, defending it several times, while he lost two attempts in Russia at the WBO Youth super lightweight and super welterweight titles.
He is still very young, having just turned 21 two months ago, but he is more experienced than Kautondokwa in the ring with a record of 17 wins, three losses and two draws.
Kautondokwa, on the other hand, is 32, and is still undefeated after 15 fights, of which 14 have come via knockout. This will be his fourth defence of the WBO Africa title, while he also recently broke into the WBO rankings and is now ranked seventh in the world by the organisation.
He, too, didn’t mince his words.
“Saturday is the day that I’m going to execute someone. It will be a quick fight so I ask all the fans to please come early because I won’t waste any time,” he said.
The bonanza will see 11 fights in total, including two WBO African title fights and two Namibian title fights.
In the main supporting bout Mikka Shonena will take on Juma Waiswa of Uganda for the WBO Africa welterweight title.
Both fighters have similar records with Shonena unbeaten after 10 fights, while Waiswa has won 10 and drawn one fight.
“It will be war on Saturday,” Shonena said, adding, “fans must come in big numbers, because I’ll give you a good result.”
Waiswa was equally confident, saying he would take the title back home to Uganda.
“I’ve been working hard for this fight so I’ve come to Namibia to finish the job and go back home with the title,” he said.
There will be two national title fights with Onesmus Nekundi taking on Kenedy Imalwa for the national featherweight title, while Emmanuel Mungandjela will take on Ebenestus Kaangundue for the national welterweight title.
Other boxers who will be in action include Harry Simon Junior v Nathaniel Shimanda; Paulinus Paulus v Silas Mandeya; Jacob Jacob v Salatiel Moses; Charles Shinima v December Nuuyoma; Andreas Amupolo v Julius Sheetheni; and Max Iipinge v Joseph Hihangwa.
There will also be a ‘mystery bout’ between ‘Selma’ and ‘Michael’ of which the details will only be revealed on Saturday night.
The entrance fee is N$200 per person or N$10 000 for a table of 10 with refreshments.
–The Namibian
