There was a theme of bon voyage at the Mdantsane Mall when Landile Ngxeke underwent the premedical examination with his foe, Eric Gamboa, on Thursday for their Sunday clash.
Shoppers stopped and watched with interest as the Mdantsane boxer met his Mexican challenger for the first time, with both given a clean bill of health for their WBO Intercontinental and IBF International bantamweight title clash scheduled for the Orient Theatre.
Coming a day after payday for most shoppers, the premedical was transformed into a vibey atmosphere as Ngxeke stepped onto the scales after stripping off his school uniform.
Despite a bout of flu which forced the postponement of the fight from Friday last week, Ngxeke appeared to be fully recovered and raring to go for what will likely be his last bout before engaging in a world-title shot.
Flexing his muscles to underline his readiness, Ngxeke promised to beat Gamboa emphatically to realise his world-title dream.
“I have been dreaming of fighting for a world title for a while, and I feel it is about to happen,” he said.
“All I need to do is take care of business on Sunday and sit back and wait for which world body will give me an opportunity.”
Ngxeke, from Whittlesea, is rated in lofty spots by all four major world bodies, with the WBO listing him the highest in third spot, while the IBF places him seventh, which is good enough to be mandated to contest for a title eliminator.
Xaba Promotions boss Ayanda Matiti said the decision to bring the premedical examination to the mall was aimed at galvanising fans to attend Sunday’s show.
“We felt this bout should also serve as the farewell for Ngxeke before he engages in a world title, hence we brought this premedical to the township mall,” he said.
“We urge people to come in their numbers to support the son of the soil as he embarks on his next stage of his career.
“We are already in negotiations for his next fight to take place in September, but the venue is to be decided, so his fans might be seeing him live for the last time.”
While all the attention was on Ngxeke, Gamboa did not just sit quietly despite the language barrier.
The Mexican said he was delighted to be in the country and promised to produce a good fight.
Gamboa, who at 30 is Ngxeke’s age, is determined to spoil the party, with Matiti already having a contingency plan in the event the Mexican wins.
Matiti said he had already signed a pre-fight contract with Gamboa to promote him if he wins.
Having suffered just two losses in 28 bouts and coming from a boxing-mad country, Gamboa is expected to fight to the bitter end in his first fight in the country.
The tournament will commemorate Youth Month, with fans encouraged to wear school uniforms to mark the 1976 generation.
All the local boxers heeded the call as they were dressed in school uniforms.
Matiti said the weigh-in would again be held in the township at Ekoneni braai place in NU1 on Saturday at 12pm.
Daily Dispatch
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