Ambunda shortlisted for Muhammad Ali Trophy
LIMBA MUPETAMI
World champion Paulus ‘El Jesus’ Ambunda has been shortlisted for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
This was announced yesterday during a media conference.
The World Boxing Super Series is an annual tournament in which the best of the best compete for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Recent fights took place in September and the tournament runs until May 2019.
The next fights are set to feature eight top-rated bantamweight boxers in a single-elimination tournament.
Ambunda, who on Saturday outclassed Muhamad Ridhwan of Singapore to win the IBO super bantamweight title, is one of the candidates being looked at to fight in the tournament, should any current competitor encounter any issue and needed to be replaced.
Zolani Tete (SA), Ryan Burnett (UK), Emmanuel Rodríguez (Puerto Rico), Naoya Inoue (Japan), Jason Moloney (Australia), Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican), Mikhail Aloyan (Russia) and Nonito Donaire (Philippines) are the fighters Ambunda could possibly replace.
Ambunda’s trainer Immanuel ‘AC’ Moses said it will be a great opportunity for the boxer.
“It was not easy (winning in Singapore) and this is just a reminder that one should take opportunities presented. I have been with Ambunda ever since his amateur days. We even shared a room back in the day; that’s how tough the struggle was,” Moses said while chuckling.
The trainer said the whole team needs to be thanked for the achievement.
“Ambunda had great sparring partners, one of them being Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, who is also expected to hit the ring soon, as well as a strength and conditioning coach who helped him. “I can teach a guy how to jab and protect himself. I can teach him how to work hard, but I can’t help him with conditioning; that’s when other guys come in.
“My aim is not to be hated because I opened a gym. Currently in Africa we have the best boxers. Let’s work together because we kill talent if we don’t. Let’s allow boxers to have a voice of their own; let’s not keep the boxers backstage, but rather let them engage with the nation and inspire the next great boxer,” Moses said.
He added there is life after boxing, so boxers and other athletes need to be educated and given exposure.
The visibly happy Ambunda said that his age (38) is nothing but a number and that he is still in great form, with no plans to retire.
“I still need to panel beat some more guys, I’m not going to slow down, but when I decide to, I will let everyone know,” he said.
Ambunda thanked his team for their support. “Nicky and Imms are my brothers. We have been together for about 18 to 20 years. With them I’m at the top again and will now rest for two to three weeks before hitting the gym again to prepare for my title defence, hopefully at home,” the champion said.
Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief administrator, Hendrick Mapele, said government has created a great environment for boxing and the board is happy Ambunda’s achievement.
World champion Paulus ‘El Jesus’ Ambunda has been shortlisted for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
This was announced yesterday during a media conference.
The World Boxing Super Series is an annual tournament in which the best of the best compete for the Muhammad Ali Trophy.
Recent fights took place in September and the tournament runs until May 2019.
The next fights are set to feature eight top-rated bantamweight boxers in a single-elimination tournament.
Ambunda, who on Saturday outclassed Muhamad Ridhwan of Singapore to win the IBO super bantamweight title, is one of the candidates being looked at to fight in the tournament, should any current competitor encounter any issue and needed to be replaced.
Zolani Tete (SA), Ryan Burnett (UK), Emmanuel Rodríguez (Puerto Rico), Naoya Inoue (Japan), Jason Moloney (Australia), Juan Carlos Payano (Dominican), Mikhail Aloyan (Russia) and Nonito Donaire (Philippines) are the fighters Ambunda could possibly replace.
Ambunda’s trainer Immanuel ‘AC’ Moses said it will be a great opportunity for the boxer.
“It was not easy (winning in Singapore) and this is just a reminder that one should take opportunities presented. I have been with Ambunda ever since his amateur days. We even shared a room back in the day; that’s how tough the struggle was,” Moses said while chuckling.
The trainer said the whole team needs to be thanked for the achievement.
“Ambunda had great sparring partners, one of them being Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, who is also expected to hit the ring soon, as well as a strength and conditioning coach who helped him. “I can teach a guy how to jab and protect himself. I can teach him how to work hard, but I can’t help him with conditioning; that’s when other guys come in.
“My aim is not to be hated because I opened a gym. Currently in Africa we have the best boxers. Let’s work together because we kill talent if we don’t. Let’s allow boxers to have a voice of their own; let’s not keep the boxers backstage, but rather let them engage with the nation and inspire the next great boxer,” Moses said.
He added there is life after boxing, so boxers and other athletes need to be educated and given exposure.
The visibly happy Ambunda said that his age (38) is nothing but a number and that he is still in great form, with no plans to retire.
“I still need to panel beat some more guys, I’m not going to slow down, but when I decide to, I will let everyone know,” he said.
Ambunda thanked his team for their support. “Nicky and Imms are my brothers. We have been together for about 18 to 20 years. With them I’m at the top again and will now rest for two to three weeks before hitting the gym again to prepare for my title defence, hopefully at home,” the champion said.
Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief administrator, Hendrick Mapele, said government has created a great environment for boxing and the board is happy Ambunda’s achievement.
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