Special One aims for African title 

Flame ‘Special One’ Nangolo will top the bill when he takes on the experienced Zimbabwean boxer Peter Pambeni for the vacant WBA African Super Featherweight title at AC Promotions’ boxing bonanza at the Roman Catholic Hall in Windhoek on 31 August. 

The 22-year-old Nangolo is still undefeated after 11 fights, but he takes on a much more experienced boxer in the 37-year-old Pambeni, who has a record of 18 wins and eight losses. 

At a press conference in Windhoek yesterday, AC Promotions owner Imms Moses said it was a special day. 

“Today is a special day for our boxing academy, for my fighters and the management and it’s a special day for the boxing fans. When we started we only had two or three boxers and we could only do one event per year, but then we started doing two or three, andthen we presented a national title fight, and now we will announce anorther national title fight,” he said. 

Moses said Pambeni was an experienced fighter.

“Pambeni has been here before and defeated some Namibian boxers, like beat SBK Kaperu and Junius Amunyela – he just came short once when he fought Jeremiah Nakathila. 

“So, he’s an experienced fighter, but our team believes in the Special One, we’ve watched him grow, so we know this is his time and he is ready. This will be his second international title, after he previously won the ABU super featherweight title, which is the WBC Africa title; he’s the national champion, and he’s the prospect of the year,” he said. 

“He is the first Namibian boxer to fight for an international title at the age of 22. He started professional boxing when he was 15 years old, so he’s experience is more comparable to fighters who have been around for many years. He was already in the boxing ring at the age of six, and that’s what makes him unique,” he added. 

Nangolo said he was ready and called on boxing fans to turn up in numbers for the fight. 

“I need everyone more than I need myself for this fight, because without the fans, or the sponsors and the guys who come on board to help us, this won’t be possible. So I need everyone to purchase their tickets to make this event a success because without you guys I wouldnt be here today,” he said. 

“Since I was six years old I’ve been dreaming about being one of the best boxers in the country and I think it just showed a few months ago when I won the prospect of the year award. On the 31st of August I have a big task ahead to show what I really mean, if it’s all talk or whether it’s really within myself. A lot of people say I’m still young, I’m not ready for such moments, but I think this is really what I need because Ive been asking for tough fights, and I’m sure this will be one of my toughest fights to date,” he added.

The bonanza will also see the return of Namibia’s former middleweight world title contender Walter Kautondokwa, who will be in action for the first time in close to five years. This time he will be fighting at light heavyweight and although his opponent must still be named, he said he was ready for anyone. 

“I’ll be making my comeback on the 31st of August and all I can say is I am ready to deliver as always. I’m ready for whoever is coming because this is what I do, I go and train every day, its my job, so I’ll make sure that I deliver and that my fans are happy,” he said. 

There will also be a national title fight on the undercard with Hafeni Nghesheya, who is unbeaten after seven fights taking on an as yet unnamed opponent for the national junior lightweight title. 

Moses said that the rest of the boxing programme will be announced at a later stage, while tickets cost N$200 for general tickets and N$15 000 for a table of ten.

More information can be obtained from Moses at 0813155070; Martin Angombe at 0814153550; or Esther Shikwaya at 0813814337.