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Ndou fight postponed

A CUT above Lovemore Ndou's right eye sustained during sparring with Ariel Omongo on Tuesday has compelled the Iinternational Boxing Organisation to postpone his defence of the welterweight belt against Matthew Hatton.

A CUT above Lovemore Ndou's right eye sustained during sparring with Ariel Omongo on Tuesday has compelled the Iinternational Boxing Organisation to postpone his defence of the welterweight belt against Matthew Hatton.

"Black Panther" was scheduled to defend the title against Hatton, who is nicknamed "Magic", on November 3 in Staffordshire, England.

A sad Ndou told Sowetan from his adopted home in Sydney, Australia, that his fight would take place at a later date.

"Man, I am disappointed," he said. "I suffered a very bad cut above my right eye during my sparring with Omongo, from the Philippines, on Tuesday. It was caused by a head-butt.

"It required five stitches and the doctor advised me not to spar for that period. I'm very disappointed but ain't much I can do about it."

Ndou, who was born in Musina 38 year ago, won the title on July 11 after outclassing Phillip "Time Bomb" Ndou (no relation) over 12 rounds at Emperors Palace.

Despite his great accomplishments as a fighter, Ndou, the former IBF junior welterweight champion, remains humble.

"Matthew Hatton is a very tough challenger. I've got be at my best against him," he said yesterday.

Hatton, 27, from Manchester, is the former IBF International and Intercontinental welterweight titlist. Hatton, the younger brother of Ricky Hatton, qualified for the IBO championship last year after beating Ted Bami with a sixth- round stoppage in the title eliminator.

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