Boxing

BOUT IN US IS TO ‘TAKE –OVER, NOT TAKE PART’, SAYS ANTHONY JOSHUA

Published

6 years ago

May 31, 2019

Anthony Joshua is confident of winning Saturday’s bout in the US, saying he was in the US ‘to take over, not take part’.

Those were his words ahead of Andy Ruiz Jnr fight

Anthony Joshua insisted that he was not in the United States “to take part, but to take over” as he towered six inches over Andy Ruiz Jnr, the Mexican-American.

Joshua said he wanted “to make a statement” in the style of Deontay Wilder, the World Boxing Council champion, who continued his unbeaten reign in dramatic fashion last weekend when he knocked out Dominic Breazeale.

Nothing less than an emphatic knockout will suffice for Joshua at the Madison Square venue.

“I do want to have a great night. Even though Andy Ruiz is not Wilder or Tyson Fury, he is a fighter who will give me a great contest,” said Joshua, undefeated in 22 contests and holder of the International Boxing Federation, World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organisation belts.

“As long as Ruiz puts up a good fight, it doesn’t matter that he is a late replacement. It’s all about the fight night. You could be the greatest fighter on earth, but if you go in there and don’t perform then everyone will be booing. I’m looking forward to going in there and doing what I do best: putting my name alongside those great heavyweights. This will be a night to remember.”

The 29-year-old’s American debut comes six years into his professional career, after his rise to prominence with the super-heavyweight gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics.

“We’ve built ourselves to a position where we’re able to fight at Madison Square Garden. It takes a long time, but we’re here now. Now it’s about defining fights going into the second phase of my career. Ruiz is the first step of coming to America, to US turf and to take over. I’m not here to take part, I’m here to take over. You’ve got to be thick skinned and tough-minded in boxing. It’s a tough sport, an unforgiving one. I prepare well and I’m going to go out there and do my best.”

Ruiz had a message of his own, all the way to President Donald Trump, as he seeks to become the first heavyweight of Mexican blood to hold the world heavyweight title.

“Hopefully the President comes down on June 1,” said the 29-year-old, recalling that Trump had visited his home town of Imperial on the border with Mexico recently.

“Donald Trump went over to my hometown to talk about the border wall. It’s hard for everybody in the world who is struggling, and there are people on the United States who are not letting Mexicans come over to the United States. We are part of the backbone of this country. It’s hard for the Mexican people coming over here to make a living. This is where you make more money. As Mexicans we have a lot of family and kids to support. But, God willing I win this fight and I’ll be here to help my Mexican people.”

“And when I become the first Mexican heavyweight champion of the world, I’m going to be helping out my people. But you know what, if I win the world title, I’d rather go to the Mexico White House. I’d rather be over there then get an invite to Trump’s White House.”

Ruiz, though, intends to bring Mexico in his fighting style, too, intent on attacking the reigning champion. “It won’t go the distance. I feel good, feel blessed with this opportunity. I’ll go in there fast and throw combinations. As long as I stick to the game plan, we’re here to shock the people. I feel there’s a little pressure because I don’t want to let my family down or my Mexican people down. I want to come out victorious. I’m going to die trying. I’m going to give it all I’ve got.”

Ruiz, with 32 victories from 33 contests, added: “I have respect for him right now, but inside the ring it’s a whole different ball game. I don’t have respect for nobody. Outside of the ring, it’s a whole different show.”

Joshua added: “It is a big night, but I won’t be overawed. I want to have a great night at Madison Square Garden and this is now all about legacy fights in my career.”

Boxing

Autopsy on dead Nigerian boxer to be conducted on Wednesday

Published

2 weeks ago

April 1, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The body of Segun Olanrewaju, the Nigerian boxer who slumped and died in the ring in Ghana on Saturday is still in a mortuary in Ghana. The President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr Rafiu Oladipo, informed Sports Village Square that an autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday.

He said that the NBB of C is closely monitoring the events in Ghana, even as the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has asked for updates on the sad incident.

On Monday, a delegation of the NBB of C visited the family of the late boxer in Sango Otta in Ogun State. Oladipo said he was still in shock at the death of the boxer who he considered fit having fought last December 29.

He revealed that one of the members of the Nigerian delegation to Ghana stayed behind to follow up on the autopsy.

He narrated that the late boxer took part on Thursday in the mandatory weigh-in which is normally conducted 24 hours before a fight. Additionally, a medical check-up is also to be conducted.

“But in this instance, there was no medical check. On this ground, Oladipo blamed the Ghana Boxing Authority.

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Boxing

Tale of five Nigerian boxers who tragically died from ring injuries

Published

3 weeks ago

March 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Like every human endeavour, sports have had an ample share of dreadful incidents. The latest is the death of a Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju over the weekend in Ghana.

The sad incident points to the risk attendant to boxing which in other climes, is a short route to wealth. Every time a boxer steps into the ring, his life is often at risk.

The boxing rings have recorded a lot of casualties. An estimated 1,604 boxers are believed to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the ring.

Nigeria too, contributed to the sad episode.

1. Homicide Ilori (vs Eddie Phillips, 26 June 1953)

On 26 June 1953, in a lightweight boxing contest between Homicide Ilori and Eddie Philips in Lagos, Ilori was knocked down in the fourth of an eight-round fight.

He was aided out of the ring with some assistance and later complained of feeling “exhausted.” He was taken to Lagos’ General Hospital by Jack Farnsworth, secretary of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, where he died of his injuries at 3:30 am.

This made the front page of Lagos’ newspapers, including a picture of a knocked-out and dazed Ilori on the canvas with the headline “The Last Punch.”

Another newspaper in Australia, Daily Mirror in Sydney reported that Ilori was the third boxer to die in Lagos in the previous 18 months.

Eddie Phillips, the boxer who knocked out Ilori, who was only 19 at the time, decided to

retire; stating ‘I will never wear the gloves again in my life.’” He would eventually return to the ring and fight again.

2. Asimi Mustapha a.k.a Young Ali (vs Barry McGuigan, 14 June 1982)

A Nigerian boxer, Asimi Mustapha whose ring name was ‘Young Ali’ fought an Irishman, Barry McGuigan, who knocked him down in the sixth round. He fell into a coma in London after being stretchered out of the ring.

Nigeria’s Asimi Mustapha, aka Young Ali (right) in the ill-fated fight with Irish Barry McGuigan.

He was placed on a life support machine but would later pass away at his home, being survived by his then-pregnant wife.

3. Nojim Gbadegesin (vs Kelvin Onwudiwe, 28 September 1991)

Nojim Gbadegesin, Nigerian flyweight boxer died after suffering a brain injury in his second professional fight. The 27-year-old customs worker, went into a coma after he was knocked down by fellow Nigerian Kelvin Onwudiwe in the sixth round. He died in the hospital in Lagos.

4. Chukwuemeka Igboanugo (v Prince Gaby Amagor, 6 December 2022)

At the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Chukwuemekka Igboanugo of Imo State received a punch in the chin in the bout with Prince Gaby Amagor of Anambra State. He suffered a technical knockout.

After being knocked out, Igboanugo collapsed while attempting to leave the ring. He was immediately taken out of the ring for medical treatment before being rushed to the hospital. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead, with officials suggesting underlying health conditions may have contributed to his death.

5. Sherif Lawal (v Malam Varela, 12 May 2024)

London-based boxer Sherif Lawal died after he collapsed in the ring during his professional debut.

Sheriff Lawal died during his first professional fight.

The 29-year-old was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of a middleweight bout at Harrow Leisure Centre.

Lawal received treatment from paramedics at the scene and was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.

The British Boxing Board of Control said in a statement: “Condolences to the family of Sherif Lawal following his tragic passing.

“The thoughts of all those involved in boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time.”

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Boxing

Trump, Tyson, Magic Johnson others react to the death of former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman

Published

4 weeks ago

March 22, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman (C) and his sons George Foreman III (L) and George Foreman IV pose during the Television Critics Association 2008 summer press tour in Beverly Hills, California July 9, 2008. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

Following are quotes and reactions to the death of American Olympic champion and twice heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, who died on Friday at age 76 in Houston, Texas.

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

“George Foreman is dead. What a GREAT FIGHTER!!! He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing.

“With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!”

BILLIE JEAN KING, 39-TIME GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPION

“Sad to learn that 2x heavyweight champion boxer, Olympic Gold medalist, and entrepreneur George Forman has passed away. He was a great champion and a good friend.

“He bet on me in the Battle of the Sexes, and acted as a bodyguard to help me after the match when the crowds stormed the court. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in power.”

MIKE TYSON, TWICE HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION

“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”

MAGIC JOHNSON, FIVE-TIMES NBA CHAMPION

“I attended so many of George’s championship fights over his career. He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man.

“After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman — I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time.”

BOB ARUM, AMERICAN BOXING PROMOTER

“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family. We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”

FRANK WARREN, BRITISH BOXING PROMOTER

“I remember in 1990, I brought him over here to London and promoted him here on his comeback trail. He was a joy to work with – he was a fabulous guy. Very, very humble in the way he was, had a lot of time for people. And he was a great fighter.

“He was part of that holy trinity of heavyweight boxers, with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

“The great fights they had between them were special times for boxing and world sport. They’re events that have gone down as not just boxing, but significant moments in the world of sport.”

WORLD BOXING COUNCIL PRESIDENT MAURICIO SULAIMAN

“I was honoured to present George Foreman the WBC Boxing green belt which my father Jose Sulaiman had ready and was in a drawer for more than 30 years.

“Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, Husband, father, grand and great grandfather and the best friend you could have. His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.”

MICHAEL BUFFER, BOXING RING ANNOUNCER

“I’m totally heartbroken with the news of my dear friend of more than 35 years George Foreman passing away. I’m finding it difficult to deal with. I’ll collect my thoughts and have more to say soon about a man that I (and so many others) loved and respected.”

FRANK BRUNO, BRITISH FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION

“RIP George Foreman… we sparred on a couple of training sessions and I could not believe how strong he was.

“Many have their opinions of some of the top heavyweights ever but for me, he is certainly in the top group. To be a World champion in two different eras tells you how good he was… sad day for world boxing, a true legend.”

HOUSTON MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE

“George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to boxing and business success was an inspiration.

“He never forgot where he came from … Houston will forever be proud to call George Foreman one of our own.”

-Reuters

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