IBF European title: Ekundayo, Thain undergo weigh-in

By Akeem Lawal
FORMER African Boxing Union champion Nigeria's Larry Ekundayo and his challenger, Filipino-Scottish boxer, John Thain on Thursday underwent the mandatory weigh-in ahead of their IBF European welterweight title fight in United Kingdom on Friday night.

Sportsbiz247.blogspot.com reports that the tasty match-up between Ekundayo (13-1, 3KOs) and Thain (17-3, 1KO) will top the bill on one of MTK London Promotion's 'Seize The City' card at the famous York Hall, Bethnal Green in London.

The London-based Prizefighter champion said he is determined to claim the title and take a step back to where he feels he belongs – the world stage.

Speaking ahead of the bout, Ekundayo said: “Winning this title will give my career a big boost. I’m delighted to be fighting for it and it will hopefully put me back in the top 15 or top 20 in the world.

“I’m always operating at a high level. I fought for the WBO International against Corcoran and still believe I won.

“The fact that it was such a close fight shows I’m world level because Corcoran went on to fight for the world title. I felt I was landing the better shots against him despite breaking my hand in the second round.

“That’s all behind me anyway. I’m on to better things. I’ve had surgery on my hand now and this is a massive opportunity for me.

“I watched Thain against Skeete and he’s a quality fighter. I also saw some of his other fights. He’s very rangy and smart with a good boxing brain. I rate him but I’m better,” Ekundayo said.

Also speaking, Thain said: “I always wanted to be a champion and win the traditional belts – British, Commonwealth and European – before going as far as I can from there.

“A good friend of mine told me the reason he thought I was still boxing was because I’m yet to achieve my potential. No matter what that potential is, I want to be able to look back and say I achieved it.

“I know I haven’t got there yet and if I don’t reach that potential, it’ll prey on my mind. I don’t know what the limit is but if I can look back and say I won titles, that’d be special.

“People who knew me before I started boxing never predicted I’d turn professional, let alone fight for a European title.

“I know for sure that Larry Ekundayo is a good boxer but in this welterweight division, there are no easy fights if you want to be a champion. I believe I’ll have my hand raised on Friday.”

Also on a stacked card at the home of London boxing is Siar Ozgul’s Southern Area title defence against Mikey Sakyi plus the likes of Dan Azeez and Mitchell Frearson.