A world title shot is so near for Landile Ngxeke he can taste it.
But all that could go up in smoke if he does not keep his end of the bargain by beating Mexican Eric Gamboa in a dual regional bantamweight title clash at Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London on June 20.
With friend and former stablemate Phumelela Cafu’s career galloping to dizzy heights, having secured a world unification clash a month later, Ngxeke is eager to get his day in the sun with a three-prong title attack on world sanctioning bodies.
Already commanding a lofty fourth spot in the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) with at least two contenders rated above him likely to take a different title route, Ngxeke wants to move within title contention in the International Boxing Federation (IBF), which rates him sixth with two top spots vacant.
His promoter, Xaba Promotions, convinced the IBF to put its international belt on the line to add to Ngxeke’s WBO intercontinental crown to position him for any of the three world titles.
He will go to the Gamboa fight with a clear career trajectory as two of the titles he is targeting will be contested on June 8, when World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Junto Nakatani unifies with IBF king Ryosuke Nishida in an all-Japanese clash. WBO champion Yoshiki Takei defends against Thai challenger Yuttapong Tongdee on May 28.
“Ngxeke will be in a favourable position to face winners in both fights,” XP boss Ayanda Matiti said. “This is why we want him to position him strategically, making this bout very crucial for him.”
With Ngxeke hitting the 30-year-age mark, time is against him to get to the world boxing pinnacle, having conquered South Africa by winning two national titles in the junior-bantamweight and bantamweight where he is still a reigning champion.
Matiti said not putting all the eggs in one basket was geared towards making sure Ngxeke contested a world title in his next bout, if not two.
“I can safely say Ngxeke’s next fight will have world title connotations, either a direct shot or, in the worst case scenario, an eliminator. He has waited for so long and deserves the break.”
He has waited for so long and deserves the break.
— XP boss Ayanda Matiti
While the talk is about Ngxeke’s prospects, Gamboa will travel to East London to play a cameo role in Ngxeke’s script. The Mexican has lost just twice in 28 bouts, halting 14 victims, though he does not appear in any of the top-15 rankings of world sanctioning bodies.
Also 30 years old, Gamboa, who goes by the “Pitbull” moniker, is enjoying a two-fight winning streak since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Venezuelan Yerny Betancourt two years ago.
Ngxeke has reeled off six wins since rebounding from his odd loss in 17 bouts when he was knocked out by Filipino Jayr Raquinel.
Daily Dispatch
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