IBO champion Mbenge faces Namibian Lion

Veteran banger Emmanuel Mungandjela’s camp believe he can upset IBO welterweight world champion Tulani Mbenge in a tune-up fight scheduled for Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa.

The MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy powerhouse (37) has the grand opportunity to raise his stock in the autumn of his career should he win the 10-round international welterweight bout, arranged to keep Mbenge (33) sharp while his camp attempts to secure a lucrative title defence.

Nicknamed ‘The Lion’, Mungandjela enters this fight with a record of 20 wins, four losses and a draw.

“He is eager to improve his record and boost his world rankings. The seasoned fighter is excited about the opportunity to represent his country with pride and is confident that he will return home with a victory,” the MTC Sunshine Academy said in a statement.

Mbenge, alias ‘Evolution’, has a record not too dissimilar to Mungandjela’s, boasting 21 wins – including 15 knockouts – and only two losses.

“I’m not defending my title because some of these guys from overseas don’t want to come to South Africa,” Mbenge said of his struggle to land an A-list challenger in an interview with eNCA on Sunday.

He claimed the IBO title for the second time with a hard-earned points win over Briton Michael McKinson in October last year, in what was arguably the best win of his career to date.

“But just because I’m not defending my title does not mean I look at someone and underestimate them. I’m preparing for world domination. This guy (Mungandjela) is a good fighter, because anyone you fight with comes prepared mentally and physically,” Mbenge said of his Namibian rival.

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