Mbhele plans to rock Ambunda

CHALLENGER Cleutus Mbhele said he intends to rattle WBO African bantamweight title holder Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda at the Windhoek Country Club tonight.

A confident Mbhele said he had seen enough footage of the champion’s previous fights and nothing about facing the unbeaten Ambunda fazes him. Ranked fifth in his native South Africa, Mbhele has 12 wins, three defeats and two draws under his to date and believes he has enough in his locker to upset Ambunda and ruin his Independence Day celebrations.’I’m here to challenge the Rock. I’m gonna win this fight,’ Mbhele told reporters at the Boxing Bonanza’s weigh-in held in Windhoek yesterday. ‘I trust myself. I have watched some videos of him and I know he can fight but I know what I’ll do to prove him wrong about this fight. I’m here to win.’In response, Ambunda said he appreciated Mbhele helping him to ‘warm up’ for sterner assignments.’The Rock’ – undefeated in 17 bouts – last fought and beat Mbele’s compatriot Mbongani Mahlangu by split decision at tonight’s venue in November. ‘For me this fight is a warm-up for the world title,’ said Ambunda. ‘Just because he has 17 fights does not mean he is a good fighter. I’m fit and ready to defend my title.’The Bonanza’s supporting cast is headlined by Immanuel Naidjala’s WBO African bantamweight title defence against another South African, Lwazi Mzoliso.An upbeat Naidjala – still unbeaten after 12 pro fights – has promised to’ beat up’ his rival, who in October 2009 surrendered to Ambunda with a second-round TKO in Walvis Bay.Mzoliso has eight wins and three defeats to his name. The annual Boxing Bonanza will also see the long awaited return of exciting Namibian junior welterweight Sackey ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu after a long injury layoff. Shikukutu, who has a record of 12 wins and 1 defeat, will take on compatriot Pohamba ‘The President’ Mandume (7f, 3w, 4d).Another exciting Namibian prospect, Julius Indongo, who is unbeaten after 11 fights, takes on Misheck Kondwane of Zimbabwe in an 8-round lightweight fight. The other fights scheduled for the evening starting at 19h00 are as follows: Lightweight 6 rounds: Samuel Kapapu (8w, 5l, 1d) v Joseph Katenda (1w, 10l, 2d); Welterweight 4 rounds – Anthony Jaarman (7f, 7w) v Nicolla Mutonora (5w, 1l); Junior lightweight 4 rounds – Sem Kambonde (2f, 2l) v Manfred Haimbanga (pro debut); Lightweight 4 rounds – Mathias Shiimi (3f, 3w) v Hosea Daniel (1w, 1l). Junior welterweight 4 rounds – Lukas Handivele (1w, 1l) v Mike Kambunga (1f, 1l); Featherweight 4 rounds – Sakaria Lukas (1f, 1w) v Lazarus Namalambo (2f, 2w). – Additional reporting by namibiasport.com.na