Mendu plots Assassin’s downfall

Little-known fighter Mendu Kaangundue intends to make a big statement when he faces MTC Sunshine Academy welterweight prospect Mike ‘Silent Assasin’ Shonena at the Independence Day Celebration boxing bonanza on March 26.

The bonanza, headlined by Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo’s WBO Africa welterweight title defence against Allan Kamote of Tanzania, will be held at the Windhoek Country Club.

Such is his determination to become a household name that the Gobabis-based boxer, trained by former WBA Pan African super lightweight title holder Jason ‘Tuks’ Naule, has predicted that his rival will emerge worse for wear from their six round main supporting undercard contest.

Shonena is the more experienced of the two, with nine wins in as many fights while his opponent has won all three of his fights to date.

“I haven’t planned to knock him out but if he makes any mistake, he’s going down,” Kaangundue said confidently.

In turn, Shonena, a hard-punching boxer of few words and whose camp claims makes even fewer mistakes inside the ring, said: “There’s nothing like a knockout [happening during the fight]. But we are ready to fight.”

Fight promoter Nestor Tobias says the pair are part of a “world class card” that will not only offer boxing enthusiasts a slugfest but give a glimpse of some of the best new breed of fighters in the country.

Also on the card is promising junior lightweight fighter Jeremia Nakathila who will look to enhance his fledgling reputation when he faces Chrispen Moliat from Malawi.

Meanwhile, middleweight KO specialist Walter ‘The Executioner’ Kautondokwa will be targeting his 11th straight stoppage in as many professional outings when he takes on Felix Mwamaso from Malawi, while Onesmus Nekundi will face compatriot Nikotti Johannes in a featherweight six-rounder.

Paulinus Paulus is another young fighter that holds great promise according to Tobias. With three wins from three fights, he takes on Malawian Chikondi Makawa in a middleweight non-title fight over four rounds.

“This guy [Paulinus Paulus] packs a punch. He can be a world champion if he works hard and is focused,” Tobias said of his protege.

The card is completed by the bantamweight showdown between Timotheus Shuulula and Thato Monabana and a junior welterweight contest featuring Kennedy Kamati and Sacky Amutjaa.