Duncan Village-based boxing trainer Mzamo ‘Chief’ Njekanye has arrived in Las Vegas, United States of America (USA), to team up with his boxer Xolisani ‘Nomeva’ Ndongeni.
Njekanye landed in USA on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning, South African time) ahead of the former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) lightweight champion’s clash against American boxer Arnold Barboza Junior at the Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas this coming Saturday (Sunday, 7 January, SA time).
The 33-year-old Ndongeni will be attempting to take the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Intercontinental junior-welterweight title away from Barboza Jr, who is unbeaten.
“I had a safe trip and I’m now here in Las Vegas together with my boxer. We are going to meet our opponent at a press conference on Thursday,” Njekanye said.
Ndongeni, who is a former SA junior-lightweight and lightweight champion, will go to the fight following a points loss to Ernesto de Jesus Mercado in July last year. With a professional record of 31 victories (18 knockouts) and three losses, Ndongeni is the only boxer to have gone the distance with Mercado, who has 12 knockouts in 13 wins.
Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Barboza Jr from California in the US has won all his 28 fights with 10 of those victories coming via the short distance.
