Former world champion Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda is feeling positive ahead of his fight against Cristian Palma from Chile, which is set to take place on May17 at Omuthiya. Ambunda, who narrowly lost against the current WBO bantamweight world champion Tomoki Kameda from Japan, has stepped up in weight and will be fighting for the WBA/IBF international super bantamweight titles. This will be Ambunda’s first fight since his unfortunate loss in Cebu, the Philippines last year. The Namibian is hungry to reclaim the dizzying heights of being world champion but he will have to get past a tough opponent in Palma who has a record of 27 fights, 19 wins, 7 losses and only 1 draw. “I know I am fighting a tough opponent, well rated in the world but my camp has done everything to prepare me for this occasion,” Ambunda said in a press statement released yesterday. “The WBA/IBF international titles are prestigious titles in the world and I will do everything in my power to make sure I keep this title in Namibia,” he added. His opponent from South America responded via email stating that he “will be there to spoil the party as I know I will win but I don’t know if I will win on points or knock him [Ambunda] out.” Knockout promise On the same card, Bethuel “Tyson” Ushona will be in action against highly rated Ghanaian boxer, Ebenazer Lamptey. This is set to be the Namibian’s biggest fight in his career thus far as he has done well over an extended period, which has seen him becoming the WBO’s welterweight no1. “I know that I’m rated number one in the world but l am focused and will knock him out in round six,” said a confident Ushona. Lamptey, for his part, reflected on the opportunity the bout is presenting him. “This is a good opportunity to get to the top as I know Ushona is number one in the world and if I win I will take over the mandatory challenge position. So there is no way I can let him survive this battle,” he said via email. The showdown is billed to take place at the Omuthiya Park in Omuthiya and will be promoted by Namibia’s premier promoter, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy. Tickets are already on sale for N$50 per normal ticket and N$500 for VIP tickets and are available from Computicket (Shoprite Checkers and Woerman Brock outlets countrywide). “Due to the limited size of the venue, we encourage boxing fans to buy their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment,” said the academy’s Nestor Tobias. WINDHOEK-SPORT REPORTER
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