Landile Ngxeke’s handlers believe he is ready to take on the world after he survived a tough challenge from Mexican boxer Eric Gamboa at East London’s Orient Theatre on Sunday evening.
Ngxeke was taken through tough rounds by the visitor, who lived up to his “Pit Bull” moniker, before emerging with a unanimous points victory, though the wide scores did not reflect the competitiveness of the clash.
Both boxers landed big shots, with the Whittlesea-born boxer obliging to the Mexican’s aggression to produce a tear-up clash.
It was when Ngxeke threw fewer punches while maintaining his distance that he appeared to flummox Gamboa and peg back his relentless pressure.
It was later revealed that he suffered an injury on his left hand, forcing him to use it as a pawing punch.
Ngxeke’s promoter, Xaba Promotions, was blown away by its charge in his final fight before venturing onto the world scene.
“I think Ngxeke delivered a superb performance and passed his test with flying colours,” XB boss Ayanda Matiti said.
“He had a pit bull in front of him and handled it with the skill of a world-class practitioner.
“I think even those who doubted his credentials are eating humble pie and we as his handlers could not be prouder.”
Matiti revealed that he had already set plans in motion to unleash the Mdantsane boxer into a world title shot in the bantamweight division after adding the IBF international belt to his WBO intercontinental haul with the Gamboa victory.
Ngxeke is rated third by the WBO, the highest by all four world bodies, while the IBF, which rated him seventh before winning its international belt, is expected to move him up, amplifying his chances of a world title shot.
“The onus is now on us to ensure he gets his day in the sun and we are already on top of things.
“Obviously we cannot reveal everything at this stage, but trust me, SA will have another world champion in no time.”
Matiti, who plucked Duncan Village star Phumelela Cafu from obscurity and took him to top world ratings before the boxer left him to win the WBO title under another management, complimented Ngxeke for his loyalty in trying circumstances.
Navigating through the SA title route, which netted him the junior-bantamweight and bantamweight belts, Ngxeke is on the verge of completing a Cinderella story.
While his penchant for slugfests is a bit cringing when facing big punchers, his height advantage, which he used effectively in the championship rounds against Gamboa, will stand him in good stead against Japanese boxers who hold the titles in the bantamweight division.
Only WBC and IBF champion Junto Nakatani is as tall as him, but the unbeaten Japanese is rumoured to be chasing a shot at compatriot Naoya Inoue in the junior-featherweight division.
Matiti said they would look at all world title prospects for his charge, who at 30 might be running behind the clock.
Daily Dispatch
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