Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni is set to become an international superstar.
That’s how his promoter Rodney Berman felt after Ndongeni produced a flawless performance to outwit tough Mexican Juan Garcia Mendez en route to a unanimous points decision at Omega Products Event Center in Corona, California, at the weekend.
Making his US debut in a star-studded tournament televised by ShoBox, Ndongeni was arguably the most impressive in the show as he used a vastly improved technique to befuddle the aggressive Mexican.
And Berman, who was at the ringside, was beaming from ear to ear as he watched his charge perform.
“I was hugely impressed by Nomeva and if you consider that he was fighting in the United States for the first time, I can safely say he passed with flying colours,” Berman said.
“He was up against a tough cookie in Mendez but he used his boxing skills well to outwit him.”
Ndongeni stole the show with his performance in a tournament headlined by highly touted Ukrainian Olympian Taras Shelestyuk and a couple of other undefeated boxers from other countries.
Shelestyuk, whose boxing mettle has even attracted the attention of multiple world champion Shane Mosley, failed to shine in his harder than expected win over Jaime Herrera in a welterweight clash.
As if the stars that were expected to shine could not disappoint more, previously unbeaten Brazilian Vitor Jones Freitas suffered his first career loss when he was knocked out in the first round by Manuel Mendez in a lightweight bout.
Freitas came into the fight with a big reputation of being the nephew of Brazilian ring legend, Acelino Freitas, who was also at the ringside.
Constantin Bejenaru of Moldova also failed to impress in his foul-filled cruiserweight bout victory over Stevens Bujaj.
Berman feels that Ndongeni proved his own mettle in his US debut and already he is working on plans for his return in the land of dollars early in the new year.
“We will bring him back in US in February or March,” he said.
The win took Ndongeni’s record to 22 victories without a loss while Mendez dropped to two defeats and a draw in the same number of bouts.
Ndongeni from KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) is currently rated second for the WBA lightweight title held by Englishman Anthony Crolla.
But Berman could not say if the 27-year-old would be challenging for the world title in his next fight.
“It is important that Nomeva woo US boxing audience and with that performance he is on course to doing that. We will wait from the WBA for the decision to challenge for the world crown,” Berman added.
Ndongeni renounced his IBO world title soon after accepting the bout against Mendez.
Nomeva shines in US debut
That’s how his promoter Rodney Berman felt after Ndongeni produced a flawless performance to outwit tough Mexican Juan Garcia Mendez en route to a unanimous points decision at Omega Products Event Center in Corona, California, at the weekend.
Making his US debut in a star-studded tournament televised by ShoBox, Ndongeni was arguably the most impressive in the show as he used a vastly improved technique to befuddle the aggressive Mexican.
And Berman, who was at the ringside, was beaming from ear to ear as he watched his charge perform.
“I was hugely impressed by Nomeva and if you consider that he was fighting in the United States for the first time, I can safely say he passed with flying colours,” Berman said.
“He was up against a tough cookie in Mendez but he used his boxing skills well to outwit him.”
Ndongeni stole the show with his performance in a tournament headlined by highly touted Ukrainian Olympian Taras Shelestyuk and a couple of other undefeated boxers from other countries.
Shelestyuk, whose boxing mettle has even attracted the attention of multiple world champion Shane Mosley, failed to shine in his harder than expected win over Jaime Herrera in a welterweight clash.
As if the stars that were expected to shine could not disappoint more, previously unbeaten Brazilian Vitor Jones Freitas suffered his first career loss when he was knocked out in the first round by Manuel Mendez in a lightweight bout.
Freitas came into the fight with a big reputation of being the nephew of Brazilian ring legend, Acelino Freitas, who was also at the ringside.
Constantin Bejenaru of Moldova also failed to impress in his foul-filled cruiserweight bout victory over Stevens Bujaj.
Berman feels that Ndongeni proved his own mettle in his US debut and already he is working on plans for his return in the land of dollars early in the new year.
“We will bring him back in US in February or March,” he said.
The win took Ndongeni’s record to 22 victories without a loss while Mendez dropped to two defeats and a draw in the same number of bouts.
Ndongeni from KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere) is currently rated second for the WBA lightweight title held by Englishman Anthony Crolla.
But Berman could not say if the 27-year-old would be challenging for the world title in his next fight.
“It is important that Nomeva woo US boxing audience and with that performance he is on course to doing that. We will wait from the WBA for the decision to challenge for the world crown,” Berman added.
Ndongeni renounced his IBO world title soon after accepting the bout against Mendez.
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