Naidjala heads to SA
With plenty of good developments happening at MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions, there are still some complications.
Bantamweight boxer Immanuel 'Prince' Naidjala and team flew to South Africa yesterday morning, MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Promotions announced.
The Namibian has a date with Mzuvukile 'Old Bones' Magwaca for the intercontinental fight slated for 8 December in East London, South Africa.
The fight, which was originally scheduled for 25 November at the ICC Centre in Kimberley, has now been moved to the Orient Theatre.
Naidjala goes into this fight with a record of 27 fights, 23 wins, three losses and one draw.
His opponent and current IBF intercontinental champion has a solid record of 22 fights, 19 wins and three draws without a defeat.
Naidjala said he was ready and excited.
“I am happy with my current shape, focus and level of fitness. I understand the importance of this fight and I feel I am well prepared to go and win it by any means necessary.
“Winning this fight will set me up for bigger opportunities in 2018, but my immediate priority is winning against an opponent who has never lost before and I am confident that I and my team can achieve that away from home.”
The fight will be broadcast live on SABC.
Appeal
Meanwhile, MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions have appealed against a decision taken by the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) over the Onesmus Nekundi and Kendy Imalwa fight.
The fight, which took place on 21 October, saw Nekundi losing his national featherweight title to Imalwa after being penalised for head-butting.
Referee Ricky Tshabalala stopped the fight in the seventh round when a groggy Imalwa could not continue.
After the fight, Sunshine Promotions launched an appeal, suggesting that Imwalwa was punched with a fist and not head-butted as the officials suggested.
The boxing board's response was that the two boxers could opt for a rematch with Imalwa fighting as the featherweight title champion.
The promoter, however, felt that a rematch without the last fight being ruled out as a no contest would still affect former champion Nekundi's world rankings.
In a statement issued on Monday, the promoter wrote: “We submitted a comprehensive appeal to the Namibia Boxing Control Board to rectify this ruling based on video evidence.
“Firstly, the NPBWCB is responsible for appointing officials and secondly they have the authority to reverse any decision because they are the supreme boxing authority to reverse any decision.
“We were, however, shocked by the response from the board which stated that the current Act does not allow for appeals against officials and that they would rather recommend a rematch.”
The promoter further charged that it is standard practice in international boxing that the control board is responsible for appointing an official and also allowing any promoter to appeal a decision against that official.
The boxing control board could not be reached for comment.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
The Namibian has a date with Mzuvukile 'Old Bones' Magwaca for the intercontinental fight slated for 8 December in East London, South Africa.
The fight, which was originally scheduled for 25 November at the ICC Centre in Kimberley, has now been moved to the Orient Theatre.
Naidjala goes into this fight with a record of 27 fights, 23 wins, three losses and one draw.
His opponent and current IBF intercontinental champion has a solid record of 22 fights, 19 wins and three draws without a defeat.
Naidjala said he was ready and excited.
“I am happy with my current shape, focus and level of fitness. I understand the importance of this fight and I feel I am well prepared to go and win it by any means necessary.
“Winning this fight will set me up for bigger opportunities in 2018, but my immediate priority is winning against an opponent who has never lost before and I am confident that I and my team can achieve that away from home.”
The fight will be broadcast live on SABC.
Appeal
Meanwhile, MTC Nestor Sunshine Promotions have appealed against a decision taken by the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) over the Onesmus Nekundi and Kendy Imalwa fight.
The fight, which took place on 21 October, saw Nekundi losing his national featherweight title to Imalwa after being penalised for head-butting.
Referee Ricky Tshabalala stopped the fight in the seventh round when a groggy Imalwa could not continue.
After the fight, Sunshine Promotions launched an appeal, suggesting that Imwalwa was punched with a fist and not head-butted as the officials suggested.
The boxing board's response was that the two boxers could opt for a rematch with Imalwa fighting as the featherweight title champion.
The promoter, however, felt that a rematch without the last fight being ruled out as a no contest would still affect former champion Nekundi's world rankings.
In a statement issued on Monday, the promoter wrote: “We submitted a comprehensive appeal to the Namibia Boxing Control Board to rectify this ruling based on video evidence.
“Firstly, the NPBWCB is responsible for appointing officials and secondly they have the authority to reverse any decision because they are the supreme boxing authority to reverse any decision.
“We were, however, shocked by the response from the board which stated that the current Act does not allow for appeals against officials and that they would rather recommend a rematch.”
The promoter further charged that it is standard practice in international boxing that the control board is responsible for appointing an official and also allowing any promoter to appeal a decision against that official.
The boxing control board could not be reached for comment.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
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