Paulinus Ndjolonimu will go into lion's den when faces rising force Jacob Bank.
Namibian power puncher will take on undefeated Danish super middleweight contender Saturday night at Sydbank Arena in Bank's hometown of Kolding، Denmark. 25-year-old Bank (18-0، 10 KO)، The Ring's No. 9-rated super middleweight، knocked out former IBF champ William Scull (23-2، 9 KO) in 12th round of last fight، feat former undisputed champ Canelo Alvarez failed accomplish when defeated elusive Cuban on points May 3 in Riyadh، Saudi Arabia. "I am very excited about this great opportunity،" Ndjolonimu told The Ring، "and I am busy working hard with my team as this is great opportunity for myself and my country. I saw him fighting and rate him among best boxers، but in my opinion he never fought world-class boxer and this will be good test for both of us." DAZN's coverage of card headlined by Bank and Ndjolonimu will begin at 6 p.m. BST in United Kingdom and 1 p.m. ET in United States. 38-year-old Ndjolonimu (20-1، 18 KO) suffered lone loss two fights ago – questionable 10-round majority decision to then-unbeaten German Simon Zachenhuber on July 19 in Heidelberg، Germany. Though returned to win column with 10th-round stoppage of Snamiso Ntuli on November 8 in Windhoek، Namibia، loss last summer still clearly rankles him. "That was daylight robbery by referee،" Ndjolonimu said in reference to having two points deducted for low blows. "This so-called referee deducted my points all night and I end up losing this fight by majority decision. But we are moving on and I will be ready for this fight." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9x-Xv3_YQ Ndjolonimu prepared at home at MTC Nestor Sunshine boxing and fitness academy in Windhoek، Namibian capital، where used experience against Zachenhuber in hostile territory help him for what lays ahead. "For me، that was not loss، but [a] learning process، as it makes me stronger،" he said. "It was honor fight fellow world-rated boxer in top 10، and exciting fight in front of opponent's fans. That was good lesson experience all those dramas، like referee protecting local fighter [by] deducting points for no reason، get first loss on my record and I took it like real warrior from land of brave. "I work very hard get to this position and will work hard win this fight. This will be beginning of good things for myself and my country. Bring it on." Ndjolonimu's handler، Nestor Tobias، previously guided fellow Namibians Julius Indongo and Paulus Ambunda to world titles and Moses Paulus to regional championships. He believes winning this fight can point his fighter in similar direction. "This is great opportunity for Paulinus، my country and Africa at large،" Tobias said. "It's time get another world champion again and this will be good test for me. It will not be walk in park، but we will be ready." Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on X@ AnsonWainwr1ght
