New Era

WINDHOEK - When former Namibian Commonwealth champion Paulus "Ali" Nuumbembe climbs in the ring for the WBO Africa title - his one eye will be fixed on the world title.

The soft-spoken welterweight boxer is to tussle in the ring against the hard punching Samuel Malinga from South Africa for the vacant WBO Africa title over 12 rounds.

The two boxers will be the centre of attraction during the eagerly awaited Box n Dine Bonanza at the Windhoek Country Club on the 12th of next month.

Nuumbembe boasts a record of 22 wins, four losses and one draw whilst his opponent is the custodian of 21 victories and five defeats with one of his bouts ending in a stalemate.

Malinga is no stranger to local boxing followers and will be well remembered for his 2nd round knockout win over a hapless Jason "Taks" Naule during their non-title 8-round bout in Sasolburg, Free State, last year.

The former South African welterweight champion and WBC Intercontinental champion will prove a worthy opponent for the Mancunian, as Ali is fondly known amongst the Glossob's faithful near his adopted city of Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom.

"I've seen him (Malinga) in action on several occasions and he is no pushover but I like the challenge of fighting against decent opponents. I've been hard at training and I'm very confident of coming out tops," boasted Nuumbembe at a press briefing yesterday.

Nuumbembe's handler and world acclaimed boxing guru Nestor "Sunshine" Tobias, is upbeat about the prospect of Namibia producing more world beaters in the mould of Harry Simon and Paulus "the Hitman" Moses.

"Our boxers have made tremendous strides in world rankings and even now boxers from the top ranked nation in Africa (South Africa) are scared to trade blows with their Namibian counterparts.

"This could not have been possible without the assistance of the Namibian government on both amateur and professional level. Therefore, I would once again like to extend our thanks and appreciation to our government, notably the line ministry."

Tobias believes Nuumbembe has an ideal opportunity now to make his way into the top 10 rankings in the world, which could allow him to stake a serious claim at the world title - provided he wangles his way past Malinga.

Seven supporting bouts will also be on the menu for the Box n Dine Bonanza. Vikapita Meroro could be too smart for his Zimbabwean opponent Smart Nkomo when the two boxers climb in the ring for their light heavyweight 8-round non-title bout.

Swakopmund-based Abraham Ndaendapo comes up against Gottlieb Ndokosho for the vacant junior welterweight national title over 10 rounds.

Unbeaten bantamweight boxer Paulus "the Rock" Ambunda is eyeing the vacant national bantamweight title at the expense of Tommy Nakashimba.

Namibia's boxing sensation Sacky "Izinyoka" Shikukutu could stretch his remarkable unbeaten record to 11 wins. The nimble foot boxer squares up against Takudzaw Kuchocha.

The non-title junior welterweight six-rounder promises to have all the required ingredients for a title fight.

Kuchocha will be returning to his happy hunting ground after the Zimbabwean defied all odds stacked against him when he beat Tommy Hango hands down at the same venue last year.

Peter "the Butcher" Malakia and Albinu Felesianu will battle it out in a non- title lightweight bout over six rounds, whilst Martin Haikali is pitted against a yet to be named South African opponent for a non-title lightweight bout over six rounds.

Lightweight rookie boxer Julius Indongo will be out to prove that his recent victory over Pohamba Mandume was no fluke.

The pair return to the ring to set the record straight after Indongo defeated Mandume during Hitman's historic title defence in Windhoek last month.

Tickets for the 3-course meal Box n Dine are up for grabs at a modest price of N$550 per person or N$3000 per table of six people.

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