Ajose talks tough ahead title bout

He may not be the best thing about to happen to Nigerian boxing in recent times,but Segun Ajose instinctively holds the aces as the real coundown begins ahead his Saturday's African lightwelterweight title clash with Victor Gbendonou of Benin Republic in Calabar,Cross River State,South-South Nigeria.    Indeed the atmosphere that enveloped Ajose's
training environment at the National Stadium in Lagos
did not give much away about the importance of the
coming bout,however the Nigerian hope continues to
build-up to the crucial hour declaring that his
Beninois opponent is due for a bashing.

   Speaking in an exclusive interview with
nigeriasports.com after another session of rigorous
training Monday,Ajose in an unmitigated monologue
promised to end the day for Gbendonou within the
distance.

    Said him:"I've longed for this fight.I need it to
launch my challenge for the big thing which is the
world title and I don't think there is anyone who can
stop me now having come this far,definitely not
Victor.

    "I know my capability,I've been abroad for some
time during which I had some bouts.Of course the
experience I gained over there is what you cannot buy
anywhere and after this fight I'm still going back to
further sharpen my skills."

    Not surprisingly,the 1999 All Africa Games gold
medallist gave a thumb-down to training facilities and
equipment made available at the gym in the National
Stadium.

     "These are nothing to write home about compared
to the kind of equipment provided abroad.I remember I
had to bring some of my own equipment the last time I
was in the country for a fight.The administrators
should try and raise the standard of what we have here
presently if they want our boxers to do well against
their counterparts from outside the country,"he
remarked.

     The Ajose-Gbendonou fight is featuring as an
undercard at Henry Akinwande's International Boxing
Federation Heavyweight title defence.

     Interestingly support for Ajose ahead of the bout
is coming from a supposed unlikely destination-the
Nigeria Football Supporters' Club which lately
metamorphosed to Nigeria Football and other Sports
Supporters' Club[NFSSC].

      President-General of the club Dr. Rafiu
Ladipo,has vowed to motivate Ajose with the aim of
winning Saturday's fight and going on to challege for
the Commonwealth title and ultimately the world crown.

    By Dipo Okubanjo  

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