‘Ambunda in best shape ever’

Namibian boxer Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda is in impeccable physical shape as he prepares to fight Argentina’s Leandro Esperante for the IBO super bantamweight world title tomorrow. This is the opinion of one of Ambunda’s trainers ahead of the fight, which is set to take place at the Ramatex Building. Siegfried ‘SBK’ Kaperu said he, along with Nestor Tobias, Josef Hanthindi and Imms Moses, as Ambunda’s trainers have dished out severe punishment to the boxer in anticipation of tomorrow’s bout. “We went the extra mile when it comes to the preparation work,” he told Namibian Sun yesterday. “It was not easy and we showed no mercy to Ambunda during this period. But credit goes to him because he took the pain. And you know without pain there is no gain,” he added. Ambunda, who previously held the WBO bantamweight world title, looked out of sorts during his last two fights. Although he managed to beat both Christian Palma from Chile and South Africa’s Tshifhiwa Munyai during last year’s fights at Omuthiya and Oshikango, the normally explosive Ambunda did not display his best. That is all about to change, Kaperu vowed. “We went back to the drawing board and looked at how things were when he beat Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu to win the world title… I can tell you that he is better than that now,” the trainer said. Ambunda will turn 35 next month and some may argue that his best days are over. Not so, Kaperu said emphatically. “This is the best shape he has ever been and tomorrow everybody will see it. They just need to come to the ring to witness it,” Kaperu stated. Special plan The Namibian will come up against an opponent who appears to have a longer reach. Esperante’s record also includes 10 wins by knockout from his 16 fights to date. This suggests that the South American cannot be taken lightly. Kaperu said the team is aware of the danger posed by Esperante but they have made preparations to offset the lurking threat. “We know South Americans are tricky fighters and we expect the same from Esperante. But we have a special plan for him and it will be hard for him,” he said. It will be the Argentine’s first fight outside of his country. This might be construed as a disadvantage for the visiting boxer. But Esperante’s handler Patricio Retondaro laughed at this suggestion. “Yes it is his first time in Africa and outside Argentina but he will still be fighting a boxer; not a machine or something else,” he said earlier this week. Whole team Meanwhile, Kaperu reiterated that getting Ambunda ready for tomorrow’s fight was a total team effort as everybody in the MTC Sunshine Boxing Academy helped with the boxer’s training. “The whole team was involved in getting Ambunda ready… and I have to thank guys like Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala and Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, who were there from the beginning. They provided top class sparring and believe me, Ambunda will shine on Saturday,” he said. Tomorrow’s card has been drawn from the big names of local boxing with former WBA lightweight world champion, Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses, Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona, Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo, Sacky ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu, and Japhet ‘Thin Man’ Uutoni all set to fight on the undercard. Fans should also watch out for rising stars Jeremia Nakathila, Mike Shonena and Walter Kautondokwa, who are all due to fight international opponents. Tickets for tomorrow’s fight cost N$100 for general entry and N$500 for VIP seating. Tables seating ten people cost N$20 000. Full card IBO Super bantamweight world title Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda v Leandro David Esperante (ARG) International lightweight Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses v Sadiki Momba (TAN) IBO Africa welterweight title Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona v Bongo Lipembo (DRC) WBO Africa junior welterweight Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo v Jason Bedeman (RSA) International middleweight Walter ‘Executioner’ Kautondokwa v Reson Hobyani (RSA) International flyweight Japhet ‘Thin Man’ Uutoni v Khanyakude Mukansi (RSA) International welterweight Sacky ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu v Limbani Masamba (MAL) International middleweight Paulinus Paulus v Kith Karimbika (ZIM) International welterweight Mike Shonena v Nicola Mutonhora (ZIM) International junior lightweight Jeremia Nakathila v Paul Maxilana (RSA) WINDHOEK-HECTOR MAWONGA