Big US test for SA’s Ndongeni
He fights unbeaten rising star Devin Haney on Friday night
Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni will engage in the most difficult fight of his professional career when he takes on US bright prospect Devin Haney in Shreveport, US on Friday (Saturday morning SA time).
The magnitude of the fight is so big that that it has been picked up by US network ShoBox with the WBO Intercontinental lightweight title at stake.
The 28-year-old KwaBhaca-born but East London-raised Ndongeni is a massive underdog against the 20-year-old unbeaten prospect who is tipped to go far in boxing.
Haney’s reputation is so huge he is seen as the next Floyd Mayweather. The fact that he uses Mayweather’s gymnasium where Ndongeni had a stint when he was looking to kick- start his international career, adds to those lofty predictions.
Haney was preparing for the fight at the Mayweather gymnasium which he shared with Ndongeni at some point, allowing the two boxers to be familiar with each other.
“I know Haney although he was still a baby when I was training at Mayweather gymnasium,” said Ndongeni.
“All I can say is that this fight represents the big opportunity for me to return to the top ratings of the world bodies.”
Beating Haney would be a major accomplishment for Ndongeni whose resumé lacks a quality opponent.
In fact, even a loss will put Ndongeni in good stead to finally convince detractors that he has the goods.
All US boxing publications have been carrying Haney reports with Ndongeni merely taken as an opponent expected to fall.
This is due to the reputation of the US star who has won numerous amateur championships and has yet to taste a loss in 20 bouts with 13 stoppages.
But Ndongeni, ever with belief in his own ability, is confident of springing a surprise.
“I will never be afraid of another boxer who is campaigning in the same division as me,” Ndongeni said.
Whether that is the right approach is yet to be seen as even the greatest boxers pick and choose opponents.
But with his career beset by long spells of inactivity and disappointments, Ndongeni can be excused for taking all comers especially a young, strong prospect against whom he is expected to lose anyway.
“I have no pressure going into this fight because all the attention is on Haney. I am merely viewed as an opponent from Africa.”
At least Ndongeni will not be overawed by the occasion having fought in the US before when he scored an impressive points win over Juan Garcia Mendez in 2016...
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