Onikeke set to annex Commonwealth title

Freels and Threels promotions owned by Remi Aboderin will present an attractive night of boxing as national and Africa welterweight champion, Fatai Onikeke faces a formidable task against Osse Duran of Ghana on may 27th at the Ilorin Township Stadium In the main event of the show tagged ‘Battle in Harmony City’.

“I have been training for this fight and I am ready for Duran,” said Onikeke who just a month ago won the African title when he knocked out Semi Clay at the Island club in Lagos.

The much taller Ghanaian will be an interesting match-up for baby faced Onikeke who uses his lesser height to his advantage by bobbing underneath the range of his usually taller opponents. While Duran uses the jab to setup his punches Onikeke is more comfortable on the inside.

“I have watched his fight tapes and I feel I can take him out in three” said Onikeke who has a record of 13-1 (11 KO).

“I am aware of Duran's strength and experience, I may be young but I have a focus and that is to be at the top. That is why I have to work hard to surmount all oppositions", said Onikeke.

He’s especially fast, doesn’t have major power and sometimes throws aimless punches, stands a little bit straight up and yet, boxing fans in the country now have more faith in him than most others in all the divisions.

His self-belief in itself is a powerful weapon.

Osse Duran has been on the scene for sometime now and boasts of a modest record of 21 fights with 19 wins and 3losses.

He is a dogged fighter who has been under the tutelage of former world champion Ike Quartey.

He said he accepted to fight the Nigerian because he believes he cannot lose.

Onikeke has just received a boost for the fight and would be training in London for the title challenge courtesy Dr. Rafiu Ladipo who is the president general of the Nigeria football and other sports supporters club.

Onikeke will be in London for two weeks before the fight in his hometown of Ilorin in North-western Nigeria.

Onikeke also interests WBF cruiserweight world champion, Nigeria’s Bash Ali who said he sees a bright future in the young ghetto bred fighter, Onikeke.

“He has the future before him and I will help polish him in the future because he is a bright fighter, I will help push him up there” said Ali about Onikeke.

Reports Ralph Dozie

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