African Boxing Union ABU lightweight champion Oto Joseph and Olaide Fijabi who holds the light welterweight version of the African title were both unanimous in their desire to win more laurels after bother boxers won their bouts on Sunday.
Joseph successfully defended his African title against Ghana’s Nathaniel Nukpe but was stretched to last round before winning by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Fijabi on his part laboured over eight rounds before subduing a determined Kazeem ‘Iberu’ Ariyo.Joseph who extended his winning steak to 12-0 hailed his opponent’s performance but insisted he was far better on the night.
“Without taking anything away from my opponent, I’m a far better fighter than him and I would have knocked him down many times but couldn’t because ring was slippery.
“I had to hold back several times without pressing my advantage
because of fear of falling down. This in many ways extended the duration of the bout but I thank God that I still managed to give a good account of myself.”I’m
now looking forward to other tougher opponents and possibly
a world title shot,” Oto said in an interview with Complete Sportsat his hotel in Ibadan on Monday
Fijabi who also spoke with CS revealed that his target is to get shot at any continental or world title his manager and agents could arrange for him.
“I know my people are working on one or two possibilities for me, right now it is still in planning stage, when we get a firm offer, we can sit down and talk but right now my business is to take care of my boxing and tonight’s outing was not bad.” (Complete Sports)
