Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Philip "Time Bomb" Ndou has allayed fears that fighting Lovemore "The Panther" Ndou (no relation), a warhorse and banger, now, when he is still on the road to recovery, could be suicidal.

Their fight on July 11 will be presented by Golden Gloves in association with SuperSport at Emperors Palace's 3000-seater venue, the Centre Court.

"Don't worry champ, I am a warrior," he said straight up. "I warned you before I fought Cassius Baloyi in 2001, when he was on top of his game, that I will push him down to the edge of the river, suffocate him before drowning him, and I did that.

"You were shocked, weren't you. I appreciate concerns from people, it shows love but they must look into the future and forget about the past.

"I'm back with a bang. I will punish Lovemore badly. The choice will be his to continue taking a pounding or give up."

This fearless fighter from Thohoyandou, whose skills are honed by Mick Castellan, stopped Rachid Drilzane in five rounds of their six-rounder on February 14 in France. That was Ndou's comeback fight.

Lovemore, 37, the naturalised Australian from Musina, is a vastly experienced campaigner, and former IBF junior welterweight champ.

"By the sound of it, I am not being given a chance, so let me say, I will surprise you," said Lovemore, who has a scary knockout ratio of 30 in the featherweight and junior lightweight divisions.

If he carries it through to the junior welterweight class, then fight fans at the palace of dreams must brace themselves for thunder.

Meanwhile, Simphiwe Vetyeka will host Filipino Eric Barcelona for the vacant IBO bantamweight belt with Thomas Oosthuizen and Jarred Lovett fighting for the IBO Youth light heavyweight title.