Jacob Bank TKO5 Paulinus Ndjolonimu ... In Kolding, Denmark, Jacob Bank took a definitive step forward by dispatching Namibia’s Paulinus Ndjolonimu via knockout.  Bank (19-0, 11 KOs) did not concede a single minute of action in front of his home crowd. The 25-year old dismantled Ndjolonimu (20-2, 18 KOs) from the opening bell. Bank’s technical superiority was solidified by a fifth-round body shot that left the African fighter without a response. Despite his experience, the 38 year-old Namibian was unable to beat referee Ali Oubaali’s count after being doubled over in the corner by the impact. 

 

What's next for Bank? The bout "met all regulatory requirements as an official WBC eliminator" according to the WBC, but the sanctioning body was unclear whether this was a final eliminator and if so, for a shot at whom. In the wake of world super middleweight champion Terence Crawford's retirement, Christian Mbilli was recently elevated to WBC champion following his stint as interim titleholder. The WBC also recognizes Lest Martinez as interim champion, so Bank could wind up in line for either one of those two.

 

Following the win, Bank was forceful in his statements: “He has hands like a hammer, he can punch. But everybody knows I’m ready for the top. Give me the chance for a title fight. I’m ready.”