Namibian pugilists Fillemon Nghutenanye and Lineekela Nghifindaka have set their sights on claiming international titles away from home this weekend.
Nghutenyane, who fights out of the MTC Salute Boxing Academy, will be competing for the WBO Global flyweight strap against Tanzanian Yohana Mchanja in Dar es Salaam tomorrow.
MTC Nestor Sunshine’s Nghifindaka is set to battle for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth Africa Featherweight title against South African Ishmaeel Kadri in Johannesburg the same day.
The Namibian contenders’ camps are confident their fighters will return with the belts around their waists.
Nghutenanye will look to avoid the controversy that marred his last fight in Bangkok, Thailand on 3 May when he had to settle for a majority draw against Kazakhstan’s Yelshat Nikhemttolla.
This is despite dominating the 10-rounder in which Nghutenanye’s unrelenting assault that swelled his his opponent’s eye shut.
On paper, tomorrow’s rival is not as tough as the Kazakh prospect, with Mchanja having lost six times in 27 fights and drawn once.
At 30, Nghutenanye is at the stage of his career where he should make the most of every opportunity that comes his way.
“Fillemon Nghutenyane is an outstanding athlete. His selection for this high-level international competition is a proud moment for Namibian boxing and a testament to the talent being developed locally,” MTC Salute Academy says.
Similarly, 22-year old Nghifindaka knows that claiming the IBF title bout, which will be contested over 10 rounds, will unlock bigger fights. He will be looking to improve his record of seven wins and two losses by ending Kadri’s undefeated status in his 10th professional fight.
“It’s an opportunity for the young man and a win will provide him with more opportunities,” his promoter Nestor Tobias says.
Nghifindak’s only previous foray outside the country ended in fourth-round stoppage to Russian Ivan Chirkov in Chelyabinsk last year.
“He will be going there with confidence to win; when a Namibian boxer enters the ring he always has a chance to win since we are born fighters and we are always hungry for success.”
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