How Skoro added West African featherweight belt to trophy chest

Many followers of Nigerian boxing always knew that reigning national featherweight champion, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, had what it takes to win any bout, but they didn’t reckon that adding the West African title to his trophy chest would happen so soon. He achieved that feat at the weekend when he stopped Ghana’s Alfred ‘Ahwor’ Quaye at the second edition of the GOtV Boxing Night, held at the National Stadium, Lagos.
 
Coming into the GOtv Boxing Night, an event conceived to revive boxing in Nigeria, Usman, who became national champion in his class at the maiden edition of the championship, had the reputation of one ferocious hitter, whose punches, when connected, was capable of disarming even the most fearless fighter. But the manner he knocked out Quaye in the second of their scheduled 12-round contest, surprised the fans at the ringside.

Usman made nonsense of Quaye’s pre-match boast that he was out to prove Ghana’s superiority over Nigeria in sports.

Combining the speed of hand and thought that got the crowd chanting frenziedly, Usman thumped his opponent with fury that ensured a Technical Knockout.

In another firecracker contest, Tope “Young” Ogunshinasi failed in his bid to wrest the national heavyweight title from the champion, Adewale “Tiger” Abbey.
 
Ogunshinasi, however, ran the champion close, as evidenced by scores from the three judges.

The night began with professional debutant, Ottoh “Joe Boy” Joseph, kicking off his career by defeating Kehinde “Ijoba” Badmus over six rounds in a lightweight challenge. This was followed by the six-round light middleweight challenge bout between Sunday “Capo” Olalekan and Tonbraye “Tornado” Christmas, an army corporal, who was ceaselessly cheered on by a large contingent of soldiers in attendance.

It was an explosive fight, as the two boxers left fans at the edge of their seats. But there was nothing to choose between them as the fight was declared a draw by the judges.

In the light welterweight elimination bout between Waliu “Oganla” Arogundade and Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, a debutant, the latter made a winning debut by defeating his opponent on points. Fijabi, whose skills and reputation made him the crowd favourite, also went home with the trophy awarded to the best boxer on the night.

The 10-round national light middleweight elimination bout involving Jamiu “Rotor” Animashaun and Wahab “Hammer” Adebisi started on a tasty note, but did not last, as it was declared a no contest by the judges in the fourth round.

It was a night of fun for the fans, as in addition to top class boxing, they also got gifts that included 50 GOtv decoders, T-Shirts, face caps, diaries and bags.