Ambunda wins IBO world title after split decision

Paulus Ambunda won the vacant IBO super bantamweight title with a split points decision against Leandro David Esperante of Argentina at the Ramatex Hall in Windhoek on Saturday night.

In an action-packed fight, the Argentinian took the early advantage when he dropped Ambunda to the canvas with a left hook in the second round.

Ambunda managed to beat the count and fought back bravely as Esperante went in for the kill, looking for a big knockout.

Ambunda withstood the attacks and grew stronger as the fight progressed, although Esperante gave as good as he got as the two pugilists went toe to toe to the delight of the crowd.

Ambunda landed some big shots although he was a bit wild and often missed the target, while Esperante was strong on the counterattack and landed a steady jab.

Ambunda had Esperante in trouble with a big uppercut in the ninth round, but the Argentinian recovered and gave as good as he got as the two boxers slugged it out toe-to-toe in the final rounds.

At the end there was not much separating the two boxers and Ambunda went on to win the title on a split points decision, 114-113, 114-115, 115-113.

It was Ambunda’s second world title after he won the WBO bantamweight title in 2013 but lost it on his first title defence.

It was a good night for Namibian boxers as they all emerged victorious on the undercard.

In an international lightweight fight, Paulus Moses easily beat Sadiki Momba of Tanzania on a unanimous points decision over 10 rounds (100-89, 100-89, 99-90), although it was not much of a spectacle.

The Tanzanian did his best to hold on and slow the fight down and at times the fight more resembled a street brawl as the boxers stumbled around the ring.

Moses however dominated throughout, putting Momba down for the count of eight in the fourth round, and in the end the Tanzanian was lucky to see out the fight.

Tyson Ushona was in fine form as he beat Bongo Lipembo of the DRC on a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds to win the vacant IBO Africa welterweight title.

The powerful Lipembo was a dangerous opponent and had Ushona in trouble in the eighth round when he landed some big hooks, but Ushona dominated most of the fight.

He was busier throughout, landing some quick counterattacks and combinations, from the ropes, while he also went toe-to-toe with Lipombo in the centre of the ring, much to the delight of the crowd.

Lipembo pushed hard for a knockout on the final rounds but Ushona countered with a good jab and combinations to finish a comfortable winner, 119-110, 118-110, 119-110.

Walter Kuutondowka’s reputation meanwhile continued to grow as he beat Reson Hobyani of South Africa with a third round TKO in an international middleweight fight.

Kuutondowkwa put Hobyani down with a powerful hook to the body and although he beat the count, he was clearly in trouble and the referee stopped the fight.

Kuutondokwa is now unbeaten after nine fihts while it was Hobyani’s first defeat in seven fights.

The results of other fights were as follows:

In an international flyweight fight, Jafet Utoni beat Khanyakude Mukansi of South Africa on a unanimous points decision, 78-74,79-73, 80-72.

In an international welterweight fight, Sackey Shikukutu beat Limbani Masamba of Malawi on a unanimous points decision 58-57, 59-56, 58-56.

In an international middleweight fight Paulinus Paulus beat Kith Karimbika on a first round TKO.

In an international junior lightweight fight, Jeremia Nakathila beat Paul Maxilana of South Africa on a first round TKO.

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