Rock Ambunda gets world title eliminator

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

PAULUS ‘The Rock’ Ambunda will be one fight away from realising his dream if he defeats Brazilian William Prado in a WBO/WBA bantamweight world title eliminator at Ramatex in Windhoek on July 28.

The WBO Africa bantamweight champion said he is keen to add a world title to his resumé and is focused on accomplishing his mission.
Getting past interim WBO Latino bantamweight champion Prado will earn him the chance to challenge either Japan’s KÕki Kameda for the WBA title or reigning WBO Bantamweight Champion Jorge Armando Arce from Mexico. Ambunda said he could barely contain himself after learning of the upcoming fight.
“I’ve been patient for my time to come. I have achieved one of my aims. I feel proud of myself. It’s what I’ve always wanted,” Ambunda told The Namibian Sport.
“The main dream is a world title. I’m confident I can reach my aim. I just have to remain disciplined and focus on my next fight.” On a night billed as the “greatest in Namibian boxing”, former WBA lightweight world champion Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses returns to the ring for the first time since his failed world title bid against Scotsman Ricky Burns in March.
Moses will fight South Africa’s Cassius Baloyi, who ironically also bears the ‘Hitman’ moniker.
The 38-year-old Baloyi is a former IBF Super Featherweight and was voted the South African Boxer of the Year as recently as 2008.
An experienced campaigner, Baloyi has fought 44 times, won 37 (KO 19), lost 6 (KO 1) and has drawn one.
Also returning to the ring after a recent high-profile loss is Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona, who will fight another South African former world champion in 35-year-old Isaac ‘The Angel’ Hlatshwayo. In 2009, he surrendered the IBF welterweight title to Slovenian Dejan Zavec – the man who beat Uushona to the WBO Inter-Continental welterweight title in March.
Hlatshwayo’s professional record includes 32 fights: 29 wins (10 knockouts), one loss, one draw and one no-contest.
Flyweight Abmerk Shidjuu is also set to feature on the card, with a matchup against national champion Joseph ‘Smokey’ Hilongwa – if the latter accepts. Hilongwa also holds the WBA Pan African flyweight belt and can choose to add the WBO strap to his collection.
The tickets cost N$500 for the VIP section, N$200 for middle row seats and N$50 for grand seats.

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