Nestor Bolum cries foul after WBF title fight in Sydney

• Says ‘I was robbed’
Australia-based Nigeria’s former Commonwealth and Olympics boxer, Nestor Bolum says he suspected foul play in his unsuccessful attempt to grab the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australia/Asia Crown Lightweight title from New Zealand’s Shiva Mishra last weekend in Sydney.

Bolum, a former Nigerian Air Force officer, lost the fight, a 10-round contest, in circumstances he described as ‘unclear’.

I was robbed of the title,” Bolum said while speaking with The Guardian yesterday from his base in Australia. “Everybody by the ringside saw that I deserved to win the title, but they gave it to Shiva Mishra. It was frustrating, but I won’t allow it to weigh me down.”

The fight, which took place at Punchbowl Club in Sydney. was promoted by the Neutral Corner Fight Promotion, property of Mr. Paul Nasiri Nicolas and Afif Mikael of AMS Scaffolding in Australia.

Asked if he would retire from boxing after losing the WBF title, Bolum said: “Everybody wants me to continue after watching my display against Shiva Mishra on Saturday. They don’t want me to retire yet. I will consider what the fans told me.”

Bolum made a comeback to the ring on Saturday after spending two years in retirement. About 140 Nigerians and nationals from Lebanon, Fuji and Samoa paid their way to Sydney to support him in the battle against the New Zealander.

Looking back on the support he got on Saturday, Bolum said: “I love what the fans did for me. They made a lot of sacrifices by paying their way to the venue. They also bought tickets because of the love they have for me. I felt bad that I could not win the title as a way of showing my gratitude to them. I pray I get another avenue to pay them back very soon.”

In November 2016, Bolum made big headlines in Australia when he defeated his challenger, Apichet Siakane of Thailand, on points. Bolum was one of Nigeria’s strong performers at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, where he fought in the Bantamweight 54kg class.