Boxing bonanza on cards

NAMIBIAN lightweights Martin Haikali and Peter Malakia could hog the limelight ahead of their more senior counterparts when they fight it out for the vacant Namibian lightweight title tonight.

Malakia and Haikali will fight ahead of the main bout which will feature Ali ‘The Silent Assassin’ Nuumbembe and Frans ‘Rambo’ Hantindi, who will contest for the Namibian welterweight title.Nuumbembe was supposed to fight against South Africa’s Alwyn Mahonisi for the World Boxing Association (WBO) African welterweight title, but that was ruled out, paving the way for Hantindi to take him on for the local title instead.The relegation of that fight to a mere national title (Nuumbembe’s fight) will give the two juniors a chance to shine as they will go all out to prove who is the best lightweight in the country.Malakia is more experienced with nine fights, of which he has won four and lost five, compared to Haikali who has six fights with three wins and the same number of losses.The two boxers are relatively inexperienced in the professional ranks, but they will have to prove tonight if they still have intentions to hit the big time.Both boxers are a marvel to watch and with the fight set for 10 rounds, they will have to save the best for last.They will be provided with the platform to show the fans what they can deliver good quality boxing.Hantindi has not fought in two years and will possibly be rustier than Nuumbembe, who last fought in March this year.Hantindi’s last fight was in November 2006 and he will have to dish out the best of punches to stop the evergreen Nuumbembe, who is indeed a prolific fighter on any day.Both fighters have entered the ring 26 times, with Nuumbembe winning 21 of his fights, compared to Hantindi who has enjoyed victory 13 times.Nuumbembe has only lost twice since joining the pro ranks eight years ago, while Hantindi has been taken to the canvas 11 times.MORE FIREWORKS The fans will also be treated to possibly one of Namibia’s most electrifying boxers in Wilbeforce Shihepo, who will take on South Africa’s Immanuel Duma in a super-middleweight bout.Shihepo boasts with a record of 18 fights, 13 wins and only five losses, compared to his opponent who has garnered 13 wins from his 23 fights to date. Duma has only lost seven fights and is expected to take the fight to Shihepo.With the home crowd expected to be behind him, Shihepo has a duty to win at all costs on the night.In other fights, Abraham Ndaedapo meets his fellow countryman Samuel Kapapu in a junior lightweight fight, while Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda will trade blows with Matthew Niitembu (also from Namibia) for the bantamweight bout.Sacky ‘Izi-Nyooka’ Shikukutu will have a chance to extend his record to seven fights without a loss when he meets Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela in a junior welterweight bout.Daniel Hosea takes on Pohamba Mandume in lightweight four-rounder and both boxers will be making their pro debut.corry@namibian.com.na