Roger Izonritei wins Pan Pacific title

2000 Sidney Olympian Roger Izonritei, during the week won the Pan Pacific heavyweight title, nigeriasports.com can report.

fighting In the main support bout, 29 year-old Nigerian Roger Izonritei knocked out Tongan King Kava in the 2nd round to win the IBF Pan Pacific heavyweight title.

The huge Kava at 268lbs was sent flying to the canvas in the 1st round by a big right hand from Izonritei who weighed in at 235lbs.

The 36 year-old never recovered and was dropped twice more in the 2nd round after which the fight was stopped when the blue corner threw in the towel at the 1:13 minute mark and referee Brian McMahon waved it off with Kava in no condition to continue.

Roger, the younger brother of former world title contender, Daivid Izon had thrice fought without success for the Australian title.

with the victory he improves his proffessional career record to 9-4 (9KOs) while Kava falls to 13-4 (12KOs).

Link | 2005-02-22 12:03
Austinoz (abuja)

This is cheering news: that Nigeria has anybody winning anything in boxing at the moment, no matter how remote from the world title. Time was when I used to fill my scrap books as a child with newpaper cuttings of Nigerian boxers holding sway over Africa, the Commonwealth and the World. Names like Hogan Bassey, Dick Tiger Iheatu, Eddie Ndukwu, Abraham Assasin Tonica, Obisia Nwakpa, Hogan Jimoh, Hunter Clay, Jerry Okorodudu and his nemesis Customsman Joe Lasisi and others once made us proud in the world of boxing. Nigerian boxers were so influential that at my impressionable age I thought that Mohammed Ali was Nigerian! I could draw poses of Nigerian boxers pumelling their oyibo opponents. I went into boxing in my secondary school days and won silver at the state technical school sports festival (Cross River State) in 1979 weighing in at 44kg, all because of my admiration of famous Nigerian boxers.

Alas, all that is past and gone. Ask any Nigeirian child today to name any two Nigerian boxers and you will draw blank. They might even deign to name some 'honorable members' from some of our legislative houses as great boxers! Boxing in Nigeria is dead. Nigerian children are not encouraged to go into the sport. The coaches are not committed because they are not motivated. They are untrained and hungry. The economic depression is a minus - it's only when one is filled that he can take on any form of recreation, apart from football, that will not give opportunity for good earnings.

I weep for Nigerian boxing. Boxing once my beloved sport, may the day come when I can proudly tell my children and grand children that I once was a boxer of some good standing. May we not stand on the debris of boxing to applaud the success of other sports in this country. God bless Nigeria.

by Austin Ekanem
CBN Africa, Abuja.

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Roger Izonritei wins Pan Pacific title

Link | 2005-02-22 12:03 Austinoz (abuja)

Sport Vote

Link | 2005-02-22 12:03
Austinoz (abuja)