Nigerian Olympian Nestor Bolum returns to boxing ring in Sydney

Faces Thailand’s Siakane on November 11

One of Nigeria’s last men standing at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Nestor Bolum is making a return to the boxing ring in far away Sydney, Australia.

A quarterfinalist in the Bantamweight 54kg class at Athens 2004 Olympics, Bolum has not taken part in active boxing since January 2011, though he had one warm-up match in August this year.

However, the former Nigerian Air Force officer, who hails from Ughelli, Delta State, said in a message to The Guardian yesterday from his base in Sydney that he still had what it takes to floor his opponent, Apichet Siakane of Thailand, in the November 11 fight.

“The fight will take place at Club Punchbowl in Sydney Australia, on November 11,” Bolum said. “I had laid off boxing since January 2011, and I just had one warm up match on August 2016, but I still have what it takes to overcome my opponents in the ring.”

While Bolum has not tested action since 2011, his opponent from Thailand has had over 60 Mai Thai boxing fights. “I am very confident I will knock him down by God’s grace,” the Nigerian said yesterday.

According to Bolum, who has moved up to 60kg, the fight is being packaged by Nick of AMS Scaffolding, Sydney, under Neutral Corner Fights Promotion.

“The Promoter, Mr. Paul Nasari is a former boxer and he has so much confidence in me. I have been training hard under Mark Gresch of Jabout Boxing gymnasium here in Sydney,” he stated.

He grabbed a silver medal for Nigeria at Abuja 2003 All African Games, and was a semifinalist at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, where he lost to eventual winner, Akhil Kumar.

At the Athens 2004 Olympics, seven boxers flew Nigeria’s flag. Five lost out in their first matches, while Bolum and Muideen Ganiyu made it to the quarterfinals.

Bolum floored his opponents from Gabon, Ngnitedem, in the round of 32 before edging out India’s Prasad in the round of 16. Thailand’s Worapoj Petchkoom defeated him in a fight many Nigerians said was a daylight robbery.

He took his professional boxing career to Canada some years ago before relocating to Sydney, Australia. Now the Nigerian has an opportunity to face another Thailand boxer, and Bolum says he will not disappoint his fans come November 11.