AFTER knocking out Tanzania's Rajabu Maoja in the first round of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bout held in Windhoek last September, Namibia's featherweight champion, Gottlieb Ndokosho was told he had to wait for his new IBF Africa title-belt.

What should have been a week or two wait ended up being three months.

On December 7 2012, the brand new belt, designed and made in America, was delivered to the Tsamaseb Boxing Club in Swakopmund, where Ndokosho's trainer and manager, Albertus Tsamaseb, was given the privilege to hand the title-belt to the boxer.

"It was a long wait, but now I am very proud," Ndokosho told The Namibian Sport.

He is the first Namibian boxer to hold an IBF title - and the first in Africa to wear the new belt. According to Tsamaseb, if Ndokosho is able to keep hold of the belt after three consecutive fights, he will qualify for a tilt at the world title.

"We are going to go for that. Namibia has many talented boxers, and some of the best come from Erongo," he said.

Ndokosho is arranging a deal to defend the title early next month against Prosper Ankrah from Ghana. Ankrah is a formidable fighter, who has spent most of his career fighting in the bantamweight division.

He has won 20 fights and lost just three.

"I'm just want him to arrive so I can defend my title and improve my record. He has a good record but I'm not scared of anyone. I want to fight bigger fights so I have to win," Ndokosho said.