By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Damien Durandt does not doubt Luyanda ‘Prettyboy’ Ntwanambe’s ability as a boxer, however he believes that the lad from East London has been set up for failure now that he is going to fight against experienced campaigner Jackson Chauke.
Ntwanambe and 35-year-old Chauke will collide at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino in Gqeberha on Saturday 24 April. At stake is Chauke’s South African flyweight belt as well as the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Global flyweight crown.
This fight is going to be on the undercard of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight elimination bout between Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga and Filipino boxer Christian ‘The Bomb’ Araneta.
“I’m looking forward to the fight. I think it’s going to be a very good fight competed by two very good boxers, Durandt said.
“I do feel like I have the more experienced and accomplished fighter on my side. I believe Ntwanambe is a very good boxer, but I just think now this is a level above his capacity.”
Durandt has added that 22-year-old Ntwanambe will only gain experience from the fight as he predicts a Chauke victory. He also believes that the timing is wrong for Ntwanambe.
“I think it’s a fight he will probably get a lot of experience, but Chauke will prevail and remain a South African champion and also win the WBO Global belt. I think his experience, knowledge, skills and time in the sport are going to be too much for Ntwanambe,” Durandt said.
“Some questions are going to be answered on the 24th. This is a level jump and just too big for Ntwanambe. He’s young, he needs more ring experience. A loss won’t do him any harm, he will grow from it. There is nothing wrong for the promotion to be willing to take a risk on Ntwanambe.
“He wants to test himself against Chauke. In his mind and his team’s mind they seem to think the time is now. We have seen how over the last four years Chauke has grown from strength to strength winning multiple titles. I think they got their timing wrong. We will still see Chauke fighting for a world title or an elimination in future.”
