Months after his bid to win a world title failed, Landile ‘Man Down’ Ngxeke returns to action with a goal of making sure that he reclaims his dignity when he faces Namibian boxer Jonas Mateus.
Ngxeke clashes with Mateus in a 10 rounds international bantamweight bout at the Wild Coast Sun in Bizana, Eastern Cape, on Saturday, 25 April. This is Ngxeke’s first fight since he suffered a seventh round stoppage loss to Mexican opponent Jose Salas Reyes in a vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title contest in Mexico City, Mexico, in December last year.
“I want to show boxing followers that I still have it as a boxer. I still want to fight for a world title. This is the fight that will help me reclaim my dignity. My fight preparations are going very well and I believe I’m going to win,” Ngxeke remarked.
Sada-born Ngxeke has revealed that he knows what to expect from the Namibian as he watched him when he lost to Gideon Buthelezi at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in KuGompo City in November 2021.
“At least, I know what to expect from my opponent. I was in the same bill when he lost to Buthelezi. I also watched him when he was beaten by Yanga Sigqibo,” the South African bantamweight champion said.
This is going to be the fifth time Mateus fights against an SA opponent having lost to Sikho Nqothole, Yanga Sigqibo and Gideon Buthelezi. His only win over an SA boxer was against Makazole Tete in July 2018.
Meanwhile, Ngxeke’s fight against Mateus is going to be the main supporting bout to the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) female junior-lightweight title contest between South African champion Bernice ‘The Badger’ Ferreira and Adidya Mimu from Malawi. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
