Namiban boxers rated highly by WBO

Namibians featured prominently at the World Boxing Organisation Convention held recently in Puerto Rico in October.

Nestor Tobias was awarded the WBO African Promoter of the Year for the second consecutive year. He staged four events this year alone, which involved eight WBO Africa title fights.

Five Namibian boxers are on the list of the 14 WBO Africa champions.

WBO Africa bantamweight champion, Paulus Ambunda is the highest ranked Namibian on the WBO ranking with a rating of three in the world after 17 unbeaten fights.

WBO Africa welterweight interim champion, Betuel Uushona is ranked 11th in the world with a record of 26 fights with one loss.

Wilberforce Shihepo, who is the WBO Africa super middleweight titleholder is rated 11 in the world and has a record of 16 fights and 6 losses.

Immanuel Naidjala is the WBO Africa bantamweight interim champion and is rated 15th in the world. He is still unbeaten after 11 fights.

The WBO lightweight champion, Martin Haikali is still not ranked but has a record of 10 fights with four losses.

Braimah Kamoko from Ghana is the WBO Africa Boxer of the year. Ambunda was last year’s recipient of the award.

Kamoko was responsible for Vikapita Meroro losing his light heavyweight title earlier in the year in Accra, Ghana.

WBO second vice president, Andrew Smale said that the WBO was growing in Africa.

“There is no doubt that the WBO Africa title is the most contested on the continent in comparison with other African continental belts,” Smale said.

“The WBO Africa title has been contested 22 times this year alone in Namibia, Ghana and France. All other organisations together could only muster seven in total,” he added.

WBO Convention News

I have just returned from the WBO Annual Convention in Puerto Rico – held in beautiful San Juan (24^th-29^th October)…In between taking care of business – it was good meeting with old friends and making new acquaintances.  The Convention was dedicated to founding President – Dr Luis Batista Salas who together with other flag bearers over the years – including current president Francisco Valcarcel – have established an organization which lives by its principles of dignity, honesty and democracy…

During the Convention, tribute was also paid to all the great Puerto Rican champions over the years…In attendance – were the current crop of champions – as well as champions of old.  The most colourful being Hector ‘Macho Man’ Camacho…

All the reports submitted during the Convention, points to an organization with solid leadership, that is financially sound, that is growing in stature and that is entrenching itself as one of the foremost sanctioning bodies in the world.

WBO AFRICA…

Sadly not all African delegates who expressed an interest to attend – were able to attend. Deon Dwarte (South African boxing referee and judge) – was the only other South African in attendance.  Other notable Africans in attendance was big Ola Afolabi – the Nigerian Cruiserweight – who is currently Nr.1 in the Junior Heavyweight division…

There is no doubt that the WBO Africa title is the most contested on the continent in comparison with other African continental belts on the continent.  The WBO Africa title has been contested 22 times this year alone in Namibia, Ghana and France…All the other organizations together – could only muster 7 in total…Enough said!!

History was also made earlier this year – when Carlos Takam of Cameroon (23-1-0) fought Gbenga Oloukun of Nigeria (19-6-0) for the WBO Africa Heavyweight title in Paris, France…

Currently there are 14 WBO Africa champions:

WBO ARICA AWARDS @ The convention

WBO Africa Promoter of the Year – was awarded to Nestor Tobias of Namibia for the 2^nd year in succession. Nestor has staged 4 shows this year alone involving 8 WBO Africa title fights…4 of the champions in his stable enjoy favourable world rankings and his loyalty to the WBO has not gone unnoticed…

WBO Africa Boxer of the Year – was awarded to Braimah Kamoko of Ghana (22-0-0)…the strong and talented Lightheavyweight who is currently ranked Nr.2 in the latest world rankings…

WBO AFRICA 2012…

Get ready – we are in for a bumper year in 2012.  More promoters from other parts of Africa are coming on board. Some of our current WBO Africa champions stand at the threshold of world title fights…so watch this space

My Pledge as Vice President for Africa for 2012:

• Lead the Organization by upholding the values of Dignity, Democracy and Honesty
• To raise the bar…

In saying so – expect a few changes which will be communicated to you in due course!

WBO AFRICA FIGHT RESULTS.

• Paulus Ambunda (17-0-0)       W12    Bongani Mahlangu (12-3-0)    Windhoek, Namibia (5^th November 2011)

Also check out our brand new WBO website – launched at the WBO Convention in Puerto Rico (www.wboboxing.com).  Happy Reading!!

Until next time – KEEP PUNCHING

WINDHOEK – There seems to be no stopping Namibian boxers in their quest to become world-class boxers.

This was confirmed by Namibia’s pocket-sized undisputed World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion, Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda, when he retained his WBO bantamweight title after courageously trouncing South African Bongani Mahlangu on points, in a 12-round bout at the Windhoek Country Club Resort & Casino on Saturday.

Ambunda started the first round with some good jabs, to which the skillful Mahlangu responded well.

In the second round, Ambunda started throwing his heavy blows, which kept the South African running for safety for most of the fight.

In the eleventh and twelfth rounds, it became a hit-and-run affair as Mahlangu was now constantly on the run, which made it difficult for Ambunda to hit his target.
Ambunda is still undefeated after 17 professional fights, while this was his opponent’s second defeat after 17 professional bouts.

In another exciting under-card fight, Namibia’s WBO Interim Africa super middleweight champion, Wilberforce “Black Mamba”, Shihepo was in no mood to compromise and made his opponent pay dearly for having the guts to accept a fight against him – a complete marauding Namibian boxer.

Shihepo made easy work of his fight against Johannes Pieterson of South Africa when he bombed the South African with a fifth round technical knockout.

In other action, WBO Interim Africa Welterweight champion Tyson Uushona and Ghanaian opponent Francis Gakpetor’s fight ended in a draw after a clash of heads that left Gakpetor with a stream of blood all over his face, which left the ring doctors with no choice but to end the fight.

by Otniel Hembapu

http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=41547&title=Ambunda%20retains%20title%20%E2%80%A6%20As%20Force%20goes%20for%20the%20kill

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

NESTOR ‘Sunshine’ Tobias on Wednesday won the WBO Africa Promoter of the Year award for the second successive year.

Financial constraints meant that he could not accept the award in person.
Tobias will be officially presented with the award byWBO fourth vice president Andrew Smale before WBO Africa bantamweight Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda’s title defence fight next Saturday.
Arguably the top promoter in the country, Tobias said yesterday that he was not surprised to win the prestigious prize as it was testimony to the hard work put it by his stable, a point his detractors need to take note of.
“It’s through the boxers’ hard work and commitment that we are able to get these awards. To those people who are always talking negative about us, they should know that these things don’t come for free. For us boxing is our livelihood. It is all we do.”
The WBO Africa Boxer of the Year 2011 was awarded to of Ghana, a man Tobias felt had scored a dubious victory over Namibia’s Vikapita Meroro in July.
Ambunda, who faces challenger Bongani Mahlangu from South Africa, was the recipient of the award last year.

ROCK STATUS

Keeping true to his nature, Tobias seized the opportunity to promote Ambunda’s upcoming fight. ‘The Rock’ Ambunda has the makings of a world champion, the handler said.
Tobias has plenty of faith in the fighter, whom he said has the potential to emulate former two-time middleweight world champion Harry ‘Onkugo’ Simon and former WBA lightweight title holder Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses.
According to Tobias, the 31-year-old Ambunda can secure his chance at world title shot once he disposes of Mahlangu.
The WBO bantamweight world strap is now vacant after two time champion Nonito Donaire stepped up a division, a development that has edged Ambunda closer to realising his dream.
“Ambunda is at his peak now,” Tobias said.
“He is rated number three in world and if he wins he can improve that position and become the mandatory challenger.
“It’s also motivation for him. I want him to be the third guy from Namibia to fight for a world title.”

http://www.namibian.com.na/sport/local/full-story/archive/2011/october/article/wbo-awards-tobias-again/

PAULUS ‘The Rock’ Ambunda believes that Namibians have become accustomed to seeing local boxers win, a trend that will continue on November 5.

Speaking at a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, the WBO Africa bantamweight champion promised to defeat challenger Bongani Mahlangu from South Africa in order to keep his supporters happy and defend his title for the sixth time.
Ambunda said he was confident that stablemates Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona and Wilberfoce ‘Force’ Shihepo, who are undercard highlights, would back up his sentiments with victories of their own.
“We always do good,”Ambunda said of himself and his compatriots.
“The supporters come to see us because we give them good results. This time we will give them good results as always.”
Ushoona is set to battle Ghanaian powerhouse Francis Gakpetor in a welterweight eight-round bout, while ‘Force’ faces Johannes Peiterson from South Africa in the super-middleweight class, also over eight rounds.
Fight promoter Nestor Tobias echoed Ambunda’s comments, saying the fighters thrived on the support of their followers.
“People want to watch good boxing and these guys perform when there is a big crowd supporting them,” he said. “We have to keep grooming them to become more attractive to the public.”
Tobias also used the platform to have a go at the Namibia Sport Awards selectors, whom he believes have failed to recognise his efforts and those of his boxers.
Former world lightweight champion Paulus Moses and Jafet Uutoni are the only nominees from boxing that made the cut.
The pair are vying against Welwitschias captain Jacques Burger, triathlete Abrahm Louw, shooter Gielie van Wyk and cricket’s Craig Williams for the Sportsman of the Year Award.
“I’m being acknowledged internationally but locally I’m not there. I’m not saying my name should be there but we have good administration in boxing also. There are many good coaches, judges and boxers who have performed well over the last year.”

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS
http://www.namibian.com.na/sport/local/full-story/archive/2011/october/article/we-dont-disappoint-says-ambunda/

WINDHOEK, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) — Namibia’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa bantamweight champion Paulus Ambunda has said he is ready to defend his title successfully in two weeks time.

Ambunda will defend his title against South African challenger Bongani Mahlangu at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort on November 5.

The southpaw quoted by Nampa on Wednesday said his preparations for the title defence have gone very well. “I know the opponent, but I do not underestimate him. Come the 5th of November, you will all see the result,” said Ambunda.

The Namibian champion boasts a professional record of 16 fights without a loss, which compares favourably to Mahlangu’s record of 16 fights, 15 wins and one defeat.

The event will also feature eight undercard fights, with super middleweight boxer Wilbeforce Shihepo (21 fights, 15 wins and six losses) taking on South African Johannes Pieterson (22 fights, 14 wins, six losses and two draws) in an eight-round bout.

Namibia’s welterweight boxer Betuel Uushona, who holds a record of 26 fights, 25 wins and one defeat, will fight Francis Gakpetor (17 fights, 15 wins and two losses) from Ghana, also in an eight-round bout.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=24359

Paulus Ambunda will defend his WBO African bantamweight title in a boxing bonanza at the Windhoek Country Club on November 5.

Namibian boxing promoter Nestor Tobias said this on Wednesday at a press conference at the Namibia Sport Commission, where he also donated boxing equipment to the Namibia Sport Commission.

Tobias donated 100 punch bags to the NSC which will be distributed throughout Namibia’s 13 regions to help develop boxing at grassroots level.

“We must still finalise Ambunda’s opponent but it will be done later this week. He needs to defend his title within 120 days because his previous fight was not a title defence,” Tobias said.

Ambunda’s last fight was on September 24 when he easily beat Twalib Mubira of Kenya on a third round technical knockout.

It was Ambunda’s 17th straight victory as a professional and took his WBO international ranking up to fourth in the world.

Several other fighters will also feature on the undercard, according to Tobias. They include Tyson Uushona, who holds the WBO African Interim Welterweight title, Wilbeforce Shihepo, who holds the WBO African Super Middleweight title, Julius Indongo, Abmerk Shidjuu and Samuel Kaapapu. Uushona and Shihepo will however not be defending their titles.

Tobias also announced that he was busy negotiating to stage a fight in Namibia for Paulus Moses for the WBA Interim Lightweight title.

Moses was offered an opportunity to fight Richard Abril of Cuba for the WBA Interim Lightweight title in Panama on October 22, but Tobias turned down the chance because it came too soon after Moses’ last fight against Sidney Siqueira of Brazil on September 24. Abril is now expected to fight the former WBA lightweight champion Miguel Acosta for the WBA Interim Lightweight title on October 22.

Tobias said he was now negotiating with Don King to set up a fight for Moses against the winner of the Abril-Acosta fight.

“We asked the WBA for another chance to fight the winner of the Panama fight. So they said yes, we can do that, on condition that we host the fight and fund it. We are busy negotiating with Don King about it,” he said.

Tobias, meanwhile, was once again honoured for his sterling work in promoting boxing when he was recently nominated by the World Boxing Organisation for the Best African Promoter/Manager award. This is the second year in a row that Tobias has been nominated for the award, after he won the award for the foirst time last year.

“It just goes to show that people are looking at what we are doing here in Namibia. Namibia has become a big country with regards to boxing and this recognition will just motivate my boxers and I to achieve greater heights,” he said.