Veteran cruiserweight contender Olanrewaju Durodola made another strong case for a future world title opportunity with a first-round stoppage of Sadiq Akano at the Prizefighting.tv Boxing Classic, held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Key takeaways
- Durodola stopped Akano in the opening round to reinforce his push for another world title shot.
- The main event was scheduled as an eight-round national cruiserweight fight, but referee Moruf Akanbi halted it after Akano failed to come out for the count.
- Durodola’s professional tally improved to 50 victories, with 45 coming by knockout, from 51 bouts.
- Eleven additional fights were contested across multiple weight classes on the undercard.
- Several bouts featured late stoppages and decisions, including a draw between Ezekiel Igbozurike and Sunday Abudu.
- Organisers donated N1 million to support the cancer treatment of Folashade, the wife of boxer Kabiru “KB” Towolawi.
Main event: Durodola’s quick win
The 45-year-old, nicknamed “God’s Power”, set the tone immediately by cutting off the ring and applying pressure from the opening bell. His work culminated in a combination that sent Akano to the canvas, prompting referee Moruf Akanbi to stop the scheduled eight-round national cruiserweight contest after Akano could not beat the count.
The victory moved Durodola to 50 wins in his professional career, including 45 knockouts, from a total of 51 fights.
Undercard highlights across divisions
Eleven other bouts took place on the undercard across different weight categories.
In the lightweight division, Adebayo Adeniyi Dada defeated Kola Adeyemo by third-round technical knockout after Adeyemo’s corner retired him. Samuel Elegbede then claimed a unanimous decision against Sadiq Popoola in a six-round middleweight contest. Ganiu Olaitan followed with a fourth-round stoppage of Walter Sunday, with Sunday unable to continue due to a nose injury. Saheed Abdullahi also won by fourth-round technical knockout, beating Wasiu Jimoh in a middleweight encounter.
At heavyweight, the bout between Ezekiel Igbozurike and Sunday Abudu ended level, with the fight resulting in a draw.
Elsewhere, Ibadan-based Opeyemi Ibrahim won a tightly contested six-round super bantamweight match, taking a unanimous decision over Abiodun Muyideen. Hamzat Idris and Oluwashina Ayomikun Balogun fought to a draw in an international middleweight bout, while Yusuf Ayinde Ogunbunmi earned a unanimous decision over Ibukun Ipaje in an eight-round welterweight contest.
Later on the card, Sadam Oladipupo beat Yusuf Ogunbumi by unanimous decision in the super lightweight division. Temitope Ademulere stopped Tanjar Bethel Defense in the fifth round, and Samson Kazeem closed the proceedings with a third-round technical knockout of Anselme Gnansingbe.
Donation to support cancer treatment
Beyond the action in the ring, the organisers made a charitable contribution of N1 million toward the medical care of Folashade, the wife of boxer Kabiru “KB” Towolawi, who is battling cancer. Speaking on behalf of the organisers, spokesman Miyen Akiri said the donation was meant to help ease the family’s medical expenses.
