Ekundayo wants to defend IBF European title in Nigeria

By Akeem Lawal

NEWLY crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) European welterweight champion, Larry Ekundayo says he wants to defend his title in Nigeria, Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports.

The former African Boxing Union champion defeated his challenger, Filipino-Scottish boxer, John Thain to claim the IBF European welterweight title at the York Hall, Bethnal Green in United Kingdom on Friday night.

The London-based Prizefighter champion in an impressive performance won the contest by unanimous decision after going the full distance, scoring 117-111, 115-113 and 116-112 by the three judges in one of the night’s high profile battle at the MTK Global packaged bout tagged 'Seize The City'.

In a fight that lasted 12 rounds, ‘The Natural’ as fondly called, showed class as he outboxed Thain who suffered from a broken nose and was left bleeding for about 6 rounds.

While the Filipino-Scottish boxer looked worn out as the rounds progressed the Nigerian did not break sweat and looked confident and agile till the last bell.

The victory over Thain has made Ekundayo the highest ranked Nigerian boxer in the world and also positioned him for a world title shot.

In a video made available after the fight, Ekundayo also spoke in Yoruba language, said that he wants to defend his title in Nigeria.

Ekundayo hopes to visit Nigeria with his belt soon to thank Nigerians for their support and has promised to give back to Nigeria by helping young boxers develop their talent to international standards.

“First and foremost I would like to say massive thank you to MTK for giving me this opportunity to fight for this title. Before I go any further, I’m going to quickly say this to my motherland “Naija a o win football, now a ti gba IBF European title. Now, mo n gbebo ni Nigeria k’awa defend e”. Meaning, “Nigeria did not win football (World Cup), now we have won IBF European title. I will be bringing the belt to Nigeria to defend my title".

“John Thain is a really tough fighter, I put every little thing I got into the fight. I hit him really hard and felt it in my knuckles but was surprised he is still standing. I tried not to punch myself out and told myself it’s good to get the job done in 12 rounds and lot of things that me and my team worked on and it paid off,” Ekundayo, a graduate of the University of Lagos said.

Ekundayo’s mother, Abimbola Animasahun who was at the venue to give her son the moral support said, “After the fight he made me Proud yesterday night when he said to me Mama Eeee hold my belt. Hold it you deserved it is you before anyone. I was the first person holding the belt. Well done Larry, all Nigerians, both home and abroad really proud of Larry yesterday.”

Also among supporters at the ringside was the Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Amb. George Oguntade; former chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), Chief Bimbo Afolayan; founder of the Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum, Jenny Okafor and members of ‘Team Ekundayo’ including Khomeini Bukhari, Director of Africa, Peel Aston Global.