Daily Dispatch

‘Nomeva’ takes aim at Norfat

Ndongeni targets fifth round KO

- By BONGANI MAGASELA

XOLISANI “Nomeva” Ndongeni says it will take him at least two rounds to figure out exactly what Emilio “Prince Kilimanjar­o” Norfat is made of before he can launch his stinging attack on the Tanzanian when they meet on Friday night.

The boxer from Duncan Village, whose character has enabled him to beat more skilled opponents, will fight Norfat at the Orient Theatre in East London.

The flamboyant former SA, IBO and WBF Internatio­nal junior lightweigh­t, SA, IBO Internatio­nal and WBA Pan African champion and his vastly experience­d yet title-less foe will meet over 10 rounds.

Norfat, 27, who hails from Rombo, has 19 stoppages in 27 wins against seven losses.

He has fought for a couple of marginal belts.

The bout on Friday night will form part of the bill of the University of Fort Hare’s centenary celebratio­ns, which will be staged by Andile Sidinile’s Sijuta Promotions.

Sidinile co-promotes Ndongeni with Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions.

Ndongeni, who is based in Johannesbu­rg under trainer Colin Nathan, said: “This guy is a closed book but I have prepared myself in such a way that I sparred with different people – Tshifhiwa Munyai, Tsiko Mulovhedzi, Thembani Hobyani, Warren Joubert and Sean Ness – so that I am able to adjust to anything that he brings to the table.”

“Nomeva” – yet to taste defeat after 20 straight wins – added: “I will need only two rounds to see what he has. Surely by then I would have figured him out. I don’t think the fight will last longer than five rounds.” Ndongeni has 10 stoppages. He added that he would not put himself under pressure because of the proposed trip to the USA.

Nathan, who will not be in Ndongeni’s corner due to his other assignment with Ryno Liebenberg in Sweden on Saturday, said Ndongeni must impress Berman, who intends to feature in a bill that will be staged by his American associate Art Pelullo of Banner Promotions in June.

“I need to focus on the fight on Friday,” said the boxer, whose corner will be manned by Vusi Mtolo and Bernie Pailman.

Also to feature on the bill will be Luzuko Siyo who will oppose Yohei Tobe from Japan for the vacant WBA Pan African bantamweig­ht title while Nhlanhla Ngamntwini and Sinethemba Magibisela will fight for the same organisati­on’s Africa flyweight belt.

Giovanni Bushby and Alfonzo Tissen will do battle for a WBA Pan middleweig­ht title while Simpiwe Vetyeka and Tsuyoshi Tameda from Japan will meet over 10 rounds in the featherwei­ght class.

The action is due to start at 7pm

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