Paulus Ambunda will face a tough opponent in Jason ‘Nugget’ Cooper of Australia when he makes his first IBO Super Bantamweight title defence in Windhoek on 5 December.
Ambunda’s promoter Nestor Tobias made the announcement on Wednesday, saying that the world title fight will be the main bout of the ‘Dream On’ boxing bonanza which will take place at the Ramatex Hall.
“Cooper is a very talented boxer and is ranked ninth by the WBA. For Ambunda’s first title defence we have to fight a recognised boxer and that’s what we will do,” he said.
“There is enough time to prepare but now the nation also has enough time to pray for us. But we won’t just rely on prayers – The Rock is already in the gym training,” he said.
The 23-year-old Cooper has an impressive record of 14 wins, one draw and only two defeats, while he is the current WBA Oceania super bantamweight champion.
Cooper’s last defeat came in February last year, but since then he has won six fights in a row and captured the WBA Oceania super bantamweight title in his last fight in May.
“We have called this bonanza Dream On’ because Ambunda’s dream is still on to unify the title and become a super champion is still on. Ambunda is working hard in the gym and he will be in top shape when the time comes,” Tobias said.
Ambunda sounded confident of defending his title.
“I don’t have much to say now but I’ll just go out to defend my title. As I said earlier, I’m planning to defend my title as many times as I can and Id like to call on my fans to come in their numbers. With your support we will give you a good result and a bonus for Christmas,” he said.
In the main supporting bout Tyson Ushona will defend his IBO Africa welterweight title against compatriot Sacky Shikukutu.
It makes for an intriguing match-up between the durable and hard-working Ushona and the powerful and hard-hitting Shikukutu, and according to Tobias it is now up to the boxers to prove who is the best welterweight in Namibia.
“That’s going to be a great fight. We first groomed both boxers, but now they have gone up a level and it’s time for them to show who is the best in the country. It will be a good fight for them and for boxing fans, and for the winner the sky will be the limit,” Tobias said.
Ushona, who was also present, said it would be ‘a dramatic show.’
“I’m very excited and looking forward to the fight. I looked at my previous two fights where I was pushed to the limit. It seems I wasn’t fit enough, but this time I’ll be fit. It will be a dramatic show,” he said.
Other boxers who will be in action include Wilbeforce Shihepo, Jafet Utoni, Jeremia Nakathila and Abmerk Shidjuu, amongst others.
Tobias said the bonanza will cost N$3,5 million and called on sponsors to become involved.
“We are looking at N$3,5 million to support this event. Our main sponsor MTC has said it is willing to work with other sponsors so Id like to call on the private sector to become involved in boxing,” he said.
Tickets for the bonanza cost N$100 for public seats, N$500 for ringside seats and N$10 000 for a table of ten, that includes dinner and wine.
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