Lasisi thanks fans, sponsors after defending his WBC title

By Akeem Lawal

NIGERIAN boxer, Aliu Bamidele Lasisi successfully defended his WBC International super-flyweight title after a split draw with Norbelto Jiminez of Dominican Republic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday night.

The keenly contested 10-round bout which headlined the Rotunda Rumble 3 held at Caesars Bluewaters, saw judges scored 96-94 for Jimenez, 96-94 for Lasisi, and an even 95-95.

Reacting to the draw, Lasisi, who also holds the WBC International super-flyweight silver belt, said: “My opponent was a good fighter who has fought for world titles before but I thought I won the fight. It was an amazing fight and I will keep working hard. Big thanks to Round 10 Boxing, MKT Global, D4G Boxing Promotions, MKT Kazakhstan that make my fight tonight and my sponsors Angelsyrupco and Top8.

“I want to say thank you to my fans. I don't even call them fans. I don't like that. They're literally just a part of my life; they're a part of my family. I don't think of them as on a lower level than me. I don't think I'm anything but equal to all of them. So yeah, they're basically all of my siblings. I really appreciate their support tonight,” said Lucky Boy as he is fondly called.

Lasisi (14-0-1, 8 KOs) won the WBC International belt last April with a unanimous decision over Nicaraguan veteran Ricardo Blandon. He last fought in December in Kazakhstan, shutting out Hamson Lamandau over eight rounds. Lasisi moved to Dubai in2014 and found work as a cleaner in a gym before turning pro in August 2015.

Jiminez (29-9-4, 16 KOs) began his career 2-8-1, but he rebounded to become a world-class super flyweight. He challenged for the WBA super-flyweight world title twice, dropping a unanimous decision to Kal Yafai in 2019 and fighting to a draw against Kohei Kono in 2014.