Boxing
A UFC champion’s title is not enough; Nigeria’s Usman wants to fight a boxer next
Kamaru Usman scrunched his face in a playful manner and tilted his head. He had just defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight title in a five-round brawl with Colby Covington at Madison Square Garden at UFC 268.
The belt for the 170-pound class rested next to him on a table, the leather-encased gold plate shining as brightly as Usman’s metallic suit lapels and his diamond necklace.
Earlier in the week, Usman solicited to fight Saul Alvarez, the best pound-for-pound boxer who – also Saturday night – delivered a masterful 11th-round knockout of Caleb Plant in Las Vegas.
Usman’s boss, UFC President Dana White, downplayed the feasibility of a crossover megafight to reporters minutes before Usman’s news conference. Usman disagreed.
“Dana doesn’t know that,” Usman said. “I want something that scares me.”
The prospect of matching Usman with the best boxer on the planet may not frighten Usman, but White and UFC officials are right to be hesitant about the hypothetical bonanza.
In this era of blurred lines within combat sports, organisers have forfeited competitive logic to appease a new crop of paying fans. With Usman and Alvarez, the reward may not generate the success of similar recent experiments.
Alvarez commands an audience, and he produced an unquestioned result, knocking out Plant precisely to unify the 168-pound belts. Most of the audience at the MGM Grand Garden Arena supported Alvarez, a Mexican who goes by the nickname Canelo, and Showtime built the event solely around him. People from across the country bought the pay-per-view broadcast, too, including White. A picture circulated on Twitter of him watching it on a monitor octagon-side as Rose Namajunas and Zhang Weili fought for the 115-pound title in the UFC’s co-main event. White later said he had bet US $100,000 (S$134,900) on Alvarez to win by knockout.
“I watched the Canelo fight tonight,” White said when asked if Usman should box Alvarez. “He don’t want to fight Canelo. Come on, man, let’s stop this.”
This is not the first time White has dealt with crossover fights. He allowed brash Irish UFC fighter Conor McGregor to box Floyd Mayweather in 2017, a spectacle that profited McGregor at least US$30 million. That sum is rare for mixed martial arts competitions, and while Usman most likely would receive far less for a bout with Alvarez, the amount would still be a pay raise from what he gets facing opponents in mixed martial arts.
Two brothers with popular YouTube channels, Jake Paul and Logan Paul, have led a shift in combat sports in the past year. Logan Paul fought Mayweather this summer in an exhibition while Jake Paul has beaten relatively safe opponents: a retired basketball player and two MMA fighters past their primes. The specifics seemed outrageous to pure boxing fans, but the brothers’ large social media following allowed the fights to be a success.
Usman does not have stardom like the Pauls or McGregor, and he has said he does not want to pursue it. But more eyes on his fights would lead to more dollars. When asked if he would box Alvarez for charity, he laughed.
“Of course we want the money,” Usman said.
The challenge of facing Alvarez also intrigues Usman because he has beaten most of the top contenders in his division.
“Don’t get me wrong, he is a master at what he does,” Usman said. “I love it and I respect it, which is why I want to challenge myself.”
Usman is highly respected in mixed martial arts circles. After he beat Covington, White and others spoke about how he might end up comparing to the greatest welterweights of all time, like Georges St-Pierre.
Still, it is clear that he does not have the same fan following as Alvarez. Usman’s support at Madison Square Garden was mixed, and the crowd at times chanted for Covington, a fervent supporter of the former president, Donald Trump, who has made conservative politics a central part of his persona.
The cheers for Covington grew in the later stages of the bout, as he came back from two knockdowns in Round 2 and challenged Usman down the stretch.
Had Usman not gotten the knockdowns, the judges easily could have scored the decision differently, leaving room for debate and an easy avenue for a third fight between Usman and Covington.
And beyond Usman-Covington, other fighters also commanded attention on the UFC 268 card. Lightweights Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler offered the best clash of the night, a high-paced showdown that Gaethje won, though both men left bloody and needed hospital examinations. Namajunas also defended her strawweight championship against Zhang in a split decision.
If Usman were to box Alvarez, the differences between mixed martial arts and boxing, including the sports themselves and the pay gap between the UFC and the top tier of boxing, would complicate promoting the event.
Alvarez has said he is not interested in fighting Usman, and fan desire has not reached the point yet to say otherwise. If it happens, though, Usman said he would be ready to compete in Alvarez’s preferred discipline. Usman would fight him in mixed martial arts, too, he said, though he doubts Álvarez would attempt that.
“We’re the ones that are willing to go over there and take that risk,” Usman said. “They wouldn’t dare come over here and take that risk.”
-New York Times
The body of Segun Olanrewaju, the Nigerian boxer who slumped and died in the ring in Ghana on Saturday is still in a mortuary in Ghana. The President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr Rafiu Oladipo, informed Sports Village Square that an autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday.
He said that the NBB of C is closely monitoring the events in Ghana, even as the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has asked for updates on the sad incident.
On Monday, a delegation of the NBB of C visited the family of the late boxer in Sango Otta in Ogun State. Oladipo said he was still in shock at the death of the boxer who he considered fit having fought last December 29.
He revealed that one of the members of the Nigerian delegation to Ghana stayed behind to follow up on the autopsy.
He narrated that the late boxer took part on Thursday in the mandatory weigh-in which is normally conducted 24 hours before a fight. Additionally, a medical check-up is also to be conducted.
“But in this instance, there was no medical check. On this ground, Oladipo blamed the Ghana Boxing Authority.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Like every human endeavour, sports have had an ample share of dreadful incidents. The latest is the death of a Nigerian boxer, Segun Olanrewaju over the weekend in Ghana.
The sad incident points to the risk attendant to boxing which in other climes, is a short route to wealth. Every time a boxer steps into the ring, his life is often at risk.
The boxing rings have recorded a lot of casualties. An estimated 1,604 boxers are believed to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the ring.
Nigeria too, contributed to the sad episode.
1. Homicide Ilori (vs Eddie Phillips, 26 June 1953)
On 26 June 1953, in a lightweight boxing contest between Homicide Ilori and Eddie Philips in Lagos, Ilori was knocked down in the fourth of an eight-round fight.
He was aided out of the ring with some assistance and later complained of feeling “exhausted.” He was taken to Lagos’ General Hospital by Jack Farnsworth, secretary of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, where he died of his injuries at 3:30 am.
This made the front page of Lagos’ newspapers, including a picture of a knocked-out and dazed Ilori on the canvas with the headline “The Last Punch.”
Another newspaper in Australia, Daily Mirror in Sydney reported that Ilori was the third boxer to die in Lagos in the previous 18 months.
Eddie Phillips, the boxer who knocked out Ilori, who was only 19 at the time, decided to
retire; stating ‘I will never wear the gloves again in my life.’” He would eventually return to the ring and fight again.
2. Asimi Mustapha a.k.a Young Ali (vs Barry McGuigan, 14 June 1982)
A Nigerian boxer, Asimi Mustapha whose ring name was ‘Young Ali’ fought an Irishman, Barry McGuigan, who knocked him down in the sixth round. He fell into a coma in London after being stretchered out of the ring.
Nigeria’s Asimi Mustapha, aka Young Ali (right) in the ill-fated fight with Irish Barry McGuigan.
He was placed on a life support machine but would later pass away at his home, being survived by his then-pregnant wife.
3. Nojim Gbadegesin (vs Kelvin Onwudiwe, 28 September 1991)
Nojim Gbadegesin, Nigerian flyweight boxer died after suffering a brain injury in his second professional fight. The 27-year-old customs worker, went into a coma after he was knocked down by fellow Nigerian Kelvin Onwudiwe in the sixth round. He died in the hospital in Lagos.
4. Chukwuemeka Igboanugo (v Prince Gaby Amagor, 6 December 2022)
At the National Sports Festival in Asaba, Chukwuemekka Igboanugo of Imo State received a punch in the chin in the bout with Prince Gaby Amagor of Anambra State. He suffered a technical knockout.
After being knocked out, Igboanugo collapsed while attempting to leave the ring. He was immediately taken out of the ring for medical treatment before being rushed to the hospital. Despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead, with officials suggesting underlying health conditions may have contributed to his death.
5. Sherif Lawal (v Malam Varela, 12 May 2024)
London-based boxer Sherif Lawal died after he collapsed in the ring during his professional debut.
Sheriff Lawal died during his first professional fight.
The 29-year-old was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of a middleweight bout at Harrow Leisure Centre.
Lawal received treatment from paramedics at the scene and was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.
The British Boxing Board of Control said in a statement: “Condolences to the family of Sherif Lawal following his tragic passing.
“The thoughts of all those involved in boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time.”
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Boxing
Trump, Tyson, Magic Johnson others react to the death of former world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman
Following are quotes and reactions to the death of American Olympic champion and twice heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman, who died on Friday at age 76 in Houston, Texas.
U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP
“George Foreman is dead. What a GREAT FIGHTER!!! He had, without question, the heaviest and biggest punch in the history of boxing.
“With the exception of Ali, when you got hit, you went down. He was something really special, but above all, he was a Great Person, with a personality that was bigger than life. I knew him well, and he will be missed. Warmest condolences to his wonderful family!!!”
BILLIE JEAN KING, 39-TIME GRAND SLAM TENNIS CHAMPION
“Sad to learn that 2x heavyweight champion boxer, Olympic Gold medalist, and entrepreneur George Forman has passed away. He was a great champion and a good friend.
“He bet on me in the Battle of the Sexes, and acted as a bodyguard to help me after the match when the crowds stormed the court. Our condolences to his family. May he rest in power.”
MIKE TYSON, TWICE HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“Condolences to George Foreman’s family. His contribution to boxing and beyond will never be forgotten.”
MAGIC JOHNSON, FIVE-TIMES NBA CHAMPION
“I attended so many of George’s championship fights over his career. He was a knockout artist in the ring, and it was a pleasure getting to know him not only as a boxer but as a man.
“After leaving the ring, he turned into an amazing businessman — I even bought one of the first George Foreman grills! Cookie and I will be praying for his family during this time.”
BOB ARUM, AMERICAN BOXING PROMOTER
“George was a great friend to not only myself but to my entire family. We’ve lost a family member and are absolutely devastated.”
FRANK WARREN, BRITISH BOXING PROMOTER
“I remember in 1990, I brought him over here to London and promoted him here on his comeback trail. He was a joy to work with – he was a fabulous guy. Very, very humble in the way he was, had a lot of time for people. And he was a great fighter.
“He was part of that holy trinity of heavyweight boxers, with Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.
“The great fights they had between them were special times for boxing and world sport. They’re events that have gone down as not just boxing, but significant moments in the world of sport.”
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL PRESIDENT MAURICIO SULAIMAN
“I was honoured to present George Foreman the WBC Boxing green belt which my father Jose Sulaiman had ready and was in a drawer for more than 30 years.
“Legendary boxing champion, life-changing preacher, Husband, father, grand and great grandfather and the best friend you could have. His memory is now eternal, may Big George rest in peace.”
MICHAEL BUFFER, BOXING RING ANNOUNCER
“I’m totally heartbroken with the news of my dear friend of more than 35 years George Foreman passing away. I’m finding it difficult to deal with. I’ll collect my thoughts and have more to say soon about a man that I (and so many others) loved and respected.”
FRANK BRUNO, BRITISH FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“RIP George Foreman… we sparred on a couple of training sessions and I could not believe how strong he was.
“Many have their opinions of some of the top heavyweights ever but for me, he is certainly in the top group. To be a World champion in two different eras tells you how good he was… sad day for world boxing, a true legend.”
HOUSTON MAYOR JOHN WHITMIRE
“George’s journey from the streets of Fifth Ward to boxing and business success was an inspiration.
“He never forgot where he came from … Houston will forever be proud to call George Foreman one of our own.”
-Reuters
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