The camp of Mdantsane fighter Landile Ngxeke have described his impending clash against Mexican Eric Gamboa as a do-or-die bout for his future prospects.
Ngxeke defends his WBO Intercontinental title while also vying for the vacant IBF International bantamweight belt at the Orient Theatre in East London on Sunday.
The fight was initially scheduled to take place on Friday last week, but a bout of flu laid off the Sada-born boxer, forcing the postponement.
Ngxeke’s trainer, Mnyamezeli Shosha, said he had fully recovered and was raring to go.
“We could not take a chance by going ahead with the bout when his training programme was disrupted by the flu,” he said.
“Now he is ready to rumble, aware of the ramifications of the bout as it will hopefully mark the last time he engages in this kind of fight.”
Ngxeke suffered his lone loss in 17 bouts against a left-handed fighter when he was knocked out in two rounds by Filipino Jayr Raquinel three years ago and the fact that Gamboa is also a southpaw has rekindled concerns.
To acquaint himself with a left-hander, Ngxeke has been sparring with boxers with a similar style, including hot amateur star Amila “AG” Gongqa.
“This boy brought the best out of us as his style is similar to Gamboa,” Shosha said.
He said they watched three of Gamboa’s bouts and discovered that he was an aggressive boxer, typical of Mexican fighters.
Though Ngxeke’s style is also based on aggression with little in the way of boxing artistry, Shosha promised to unleash a new calculating fighter who will not be gunning for a stoppage.
“If a stoppage comes, it will be a bonus; otherwise, we are prepared for a distance because we do not want to put a foot wrong.
“At this stage, everything is on the line, so we cannot afford to make mistakes.”
The Eastern Cape team is aware of Gamboa’s aspirations, as losing to him would see him take over the local boxer’s high ratings in the world bodies.
Ngxeke is rated third by the WBO for the title held by Japanese Yoshiki Takei, who is scheduled to defend it against top-rated Mexican Chris Medina.
The SA fighter has been dislodged from the sixth IBF spot by rising Japanese knockout artist Riku Masuda and is now ranked seventh.
Shosha believes his charge could have been picked as a voluntary challenger by the Japanese boxers holding the titles, as his former stablemate Phumelela Cafu did when he dethroned Kosei Tanaka for the WBO junior-bantamweight title in October.
“But I guess they know the threat he is posing, so they will only fight him when he is a mandatory challenger.
“Which is why he cannot make a mistake in this fight.”
Gamboa, who has lost twice in 28 bouts, arrived in East London at the weekend to give himself time to acclimatise, underlining his determination to leave nothing to chance.
He will come face to face with Ngxeke at the pre-fight medical at the NU 6 Mall on Thursday.
Daily Dispatch
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