Johannesburg - Ludumo “9mm” Lamati has promised not to allow his lack of experience get the better of him in his first crucial world title defence on Friday night.
He puts his International Boxing Federation (IBF) intercontinental junior featherweight crown on the line against Alexis Boureima Kabore of Burkina Faso at the Orient Theatre in East London.
The 25-year-old Lamati gets into the ring boasting a professional record of a mere 13 fights, while Kabore, who is two years his senior, has chalked up 29 bouts in the paid ranks.
The wide difference in their career outings has made Lamati cautious and he will take the clash seriously.
“The fact that I will be fighting a guy who has been around for a long time compared with myself will count heavily against me,” said Lamati.
“I have trained very hard for this particular fight and cannot allow my title to slip easily from my fingers. Kabore is here to fight,” said Lamati.
Orthodox stance
He was nicknamed 9mm after a semiautomatic pistol by his former trainer, the late Nick Durandt, because of the manner in which he knocked out his foes.
To date, he has blasted eight opponents into submission with a powerful right hook.
He beat Colombian Luis Melendez via a unanimous points decision to lift his belt at the East London International Convention Centre in July.
The tale of the tape suggests an interesting bout as both gladiators fight from a similar orthodox stance. Their records show an affinity for knockout wins.
Kabore previously held the World Boxing Council international championship belt, which he surrendered to Mexican Rey Vargas by a unanimous points decision at Arena Coliseo in Mexico last June.
The match is likely to swing hard from the first bell, with both men punching to end the proceedings early.
The fight will top Xaba Promotions and Events’ bill when the body celebrates 10 years in existence and honours retired boxer Macbute Sinyabi.
The main bout on the undercard will be the International Boxing Federation bantamweight intercontinental championship featuring title holder Mzuvukile Magwaca against Namibian challenger Immanuel Naidjala.
The rest of the bill features Siphamandla Baleni vs Xolisa Magusha (miniflyweight title); Thembelani Nxoshe vs Nhlanhla Ngamntwini (flyweight title); and Uyanda Nogogo vs Mziwoxolo Ndwayana (welterweight title).