‘The sparks will fly’ – Tobias 

Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias has promised an explosive fight when Jon Jon Ndjolonimus defends his WBO Africa Super Middleweight title against Abubaka Mubarak of Ghana on Saturday night. 

The two boxers headline the Your Vote Counts Boxing Bonanza at the Windhoek Country Club, which will see a further 13 fights on the undercard. 

Both boxers are still undefeated with Ndjolonimus’ record standing at 18-0 with 16 knockouts and Mubarak’s record at 12-0 with eight knockouts and Tobias said boxing fans can look forward to a great fight.

“On Saturday night we will have two undefeated and highly rated boxers facing each other, but of course one zero will have to go because one of them will be defeated. Jon Jon is ready, he’s well prepared and Mubarak, I saw he was talking a lot on social media, but come Saturday night, ‘die poppe sal dans, (sparks will fly)” he said. 

“Jon Jon is rated number four in the world by the WBO which is a big achievement – people don’t talk about it but we must. It’s not easy and its taken a lot of hard work, sacrifice and investment,” he added.

Mubarak was in confident mood, saying he had come to Namibia to take Ndjolonimus’ title and world ranking. 

“I believe in myself and I know that I can do it. He said he’s number four in the world but I’m ready to take his place, I believe in myself, I believe that I can do it, Inshallah. So on 16 November everyone should be there, it’s going to be a great fight because I’m here for the title,” he said. 

Ndjolonimus was in relaxed mood and referring to Mubarak’s social media bravado, advised him to get more information from a previous Ghanaian fighter, Delali Muledzi, whom Ndjolonimus knocked out in the seventh round two years ago. 

“Mubarak made a video that side but he’s not the first guy coming from Ghana. If I had his number when he was making his video I would have asked him how is your brother (Muledzi) that side. That time he was also saying I will come and kill you, but I don’t know if he had medical aid there in Ghana to continue after the fight,” he said. 

“This boy I see in front of me, eish, ok sorry brother, if you have medical aid then it’s fine for you, this is boxing, I won’t disrespect you but it’s boxing, I will pray for you,” he added. 

“To my fans – everyone saw on social media what the guy is saying, he said hes coming to knock me out, so guys come and witness what’s going to happen on Saturday night because I want his video to be played after we have finished,” he said. 

While Mubarak exuded confidence, another visiting boxer, Tatenda Biningu of Zimbabwe who will take on Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita for the vacant WBO Africa featherweight title, was at a loss for words under the glare of the media spotlight. 

With all the cameras and microphones focussed on him he didn’t have anything to say and after an uncomfortable silence Heita took over the mic, saying that his opponent was already in shock.

“You see my opponent is already shivering when he sees that the beast is near. I always tell my fans never fear when the beast is near, because we do what we do best. I’m ready for the fight and just what to thank my sparring partners, my coaches and my promoter for making this happen, so come the 16th I’ll shine again,” he said. 

Heita, who already holds the WBA Africa featherweight title, is unbeaten after 12 fights, while Biningu has a record of 10 wins and one loss. 

Namibia’s former world ranked lightweight fighter Jeremiah Nakathila continues his comeback trail with a fight against Tafadzwa Mushando of Zimbabwe, while some of the other up and coming Namibian boxers who will be in action include Alfeus Shaanika, Nestor Thomas, Martin Mukungu, Frederick Nghutenany and Jonathan Kasheta. 

Tickets are N$200 per person or N$20 000 for a table of ten.