A stunning skyline and architectural magnificence of Dubai’s world famous skyscrapers provided a perfect background to a packed and a colourful IBA Champions Night presser at the Dubai Mall Hotel on December 5, 2024.
It was one of the best ever International Boxing Association press conference and weigh-in ceremony held ahead of Friday’s, (December 6) IBA Champions’ Night loaded boxing bonanza that will see Cuba’s two-time Olympic champion Arlen Lopez (4-0) defend his IBA 80kg world title against a formidable opponent in Russia’s Nikita Zon (8–1-1). In the co-main event, Uzbekistan’s 2016 Olympic champion Zoirov Shakhobidin will face Venezuela’s Yoel Finol for IBA Pro 57kg world title.
Five Continental title fights are lined up, one of them featuring DR Congo’s South Africa-based Patrick Mukala and Namibia’s unbeaten Paulinus Ndjolonimus who enjoys height advantage over the DRC boxer.
Mukala (19-2-1, 15 KOs) and the towering Ndjolonimus (19-0, 17 KOs) will trade leather for IBA Pro Africa middleweight title. It’s the second IBA Africa title being contested for. The first one was the flyweight crown won by Zambia’s African Games champion and Paris Olympics quarter-finalist Patrick “Baddo” Chinyemba who KO’d Ghana’s Theophilus Allotey in the fourth round in August this year during the first ever IBA Champions’ Night show staged in Africa in Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa.
“I’m not worried about his height, Infact I like them when they’re taller. I’m a class above him let him know his unbeaten record is gone,” said Mukala.
The Namibia boxer is not shaken by Mukala’s threats. “I will use my height advantage well, he’s going to punch shadows,” said Ndjolonimus accompanied by his promoter and manager Nestor Tobias.
The presence of celebrated Philippine’s former eight-division world champion and Senator Manny Pacquiao aka Pacman added more spice and flavour to the well coordinated event graced by IBA president Umar Kremlev flanked by the secretary-general and CEO Chris Roberts.
Pacquiao was mobbed by a battery of international journalists fielding questions calmly from each one of them as some posed for selfies against the astonishing background of Dubai’s over 200 marvelous skyscrapers.
I ask the 45-year-old Pacquiao for how long he intends to keep on fighting.
“It’s difficult to tell, I know I’m very disciplined I can fight till I’m 50 years,” said the humble and down to earth Pacman.
On the much talked-about rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Pacman said:”I’m ready for a points-scoring exhibition because I know I’ll beat him.”
Today’s Champions’ Night showdown will be preceded by what promises to be a volatile African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Congress in the wake of the current hostilities between the two warring factions, one led by AFBC president Eyassu Berhanu and the other group led by DR Congo’s federation president Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo whose faction passed a vote of no confidence on Eyassu’s leadership in Kinshasa during the AFBC African Men’s and Women’s Championships in October.
Eyassu scoffed at his ouster describing the Kinshasa gathering as an illegal meeting, and received backing from IBA who termed as unconstitutional the Kinshasa meeting.
The Luyoyo faction however insist they don’t recognise Berhanu as AFBC president and are reportedly planning to land the KO punch in Dubai, claiming they have the numbers and will therefore have their way come rain or shine.
“Eyassu must go, we’re tired of his fence-sitting and divisive leadership,” said one of his critics and a key player in Luyoyo’s faction that reportedly enjoys the backing of over 30 AFBC member countries.
Tension is high in Dubai especially with reports trickling that Luyoyo’s hardliners intend to hold their own Congress in Dubai, a move which the IBA will definitely not take lightly in view of the fact that they have funded the travel and accommodation of AFBC’s National Federation representatives attending the Congress. IBA will view the parallel Congress as disrespect, and is therefore keenly watching the unfolding scenario with ring analysts saying the international body might eventually be forced to use the big stick to bring order once and for all in the beleaguered African boxing body
