Paulinus ‘Jon Jon’ Ndjolonimus will take on top Danish prospect Jacob Bank for the WBO Global super middleweight title in Denmark on 26 April.
Bank (25) is still undefeated after 18 pro fights, with 10 coming via knockout, while he is ranked third in the world by both the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC), and ninth in the world by influential boxing website boxrec.com
Since making his professional debut at the end of 2020, Bank has built up an impressive record. He won the World Boxing Association Youth (WBA) super middleweight title in his fifth fight at the end of 2021, while he won the WBO European super middleweight title in his 10th fight in 2023.
Five bouts later in November 2024 he added the WBO Global super middleweight title to his collection, and after three successful defences he will now defend the title for the fourth time against Ndjolonimus.
The hard-hitting Ndjolimus, meanwhile, has a record of 20 wins, with 18 coming via knockout, and only one defeat.
He is the current Africa WBO super middleweight champion, having defended the title four times, while he is ranked seventh in the world by the WBO and 22nd in the world by boxrec.com
According to a press release issued by Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy, the bout will provide a great opportunity for both boxers as it will also serve as an eliminator for a WBC world title fight.
“This showdown is expected to be one of the most significant events in boxing history, as it features champions vying for the opportunity to compete for the world title. Both boxers are eager to improve their world rankings and enhance their chances of becoming the world champion,” it says.
For Ndjolinimus, the fight represents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate his potential on the global scale, according to the press release.
“To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and this is an opportunity I’m grabbing with both hands,” he says.
“I am fully focused and ready for this fight. I’m grateful for the support from the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Academy, where I train with excellent sparring partners who push me every day.
“We must take risks in life. I have no fear of fighting on foreign soil, as I’ve done it before. I’m going there to represent myself, my country, and Africa as a whole,” he says.
Ndjolonimus thanks his sponsors, MTC and PSTBet, while Nestor Tobias says the fight will have great significance for Namibia.
“. . . as it will showcase the country on the world stage and enhance its international recognition as the ‘Land of the Brave’,” he says.
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