Durodola Claims 50th Career Victory With First-Round Knockout

Durodola Claims 50th Career Victory With First-Round Knockout

By Our Reporter 

Veteran Nigerian boxer Olanrewaju Durodola delivered another emphatic performance, stopping Sadiq Akano in the opening round to register the 45th knockout victory of his professional career at the Prizefighting.tv Boxing Classic held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 45-year-old cruiserweight, popularly known as "God's Power," wasted little time asserting his dominance, cutting off the ring and overwhelming Akano from the opening bell. A powerful combination sent his opponent crashing to the canvas, prompting referee Moruf Akanbi to wave off the scheduled eight-round national cruiserweight contest after Akano failed to beat the count.

The victory improved Durodola's professional record to an impressive 50 wins from 51 fights, with 45 of those victories coming by knockout, further strengthening his credentials for another shot at a world title.

The boxing show also featured 11 undercard bouts across several weight divisions.

In the lightweight division, Adebayo Adeniyi Dada defeated Kola Adeyemo by third-round technical knockout after Adeyemo's corner threw in the towel. Samuel Elegbede claimed a unanimous decision victory over Sadiq Popoola in a six-round middleweight contest, while Ganiu Olaitan earned a fourth-round stoppage against Walter Sunday, who was unable to continue after suffering a nose injury.

Also in the middleweight category, Saheed Abdullahi secured a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Wasiu Jimoh.

The heavyweight clash between Ezekiel Igbozurike and Sunday Abudu ended in a draw.

In the super bantamweight division, Opeyemi Ibrahim of Ibadan edged Abiodun Muyideen by unanimous decision after a competitive six-round contest. Hamzat Idris and Oluwashina Ayomikun Balogun fought to a draw in an international middleweight bout, while Yusuf Ayinde Ogunbunmi outpointed Ibukun Ipaje by unanimous decision in an eight-round welterweight contest.

Elsewhere, Sadam Oladipupo defeated Yusuf Ogunbumi by unanimous decision in the super lightweight category, Temitope Ademulere stopped Tanjar Bethel Defense in the fifth round, and Samson Kazeem wrapped up the event with a third-round technical knockout victory over Anselme Gnansingbe.

Beyond the action in the ring, the organisers donated ₦1 million towards the medical treatment of Folashade Towolawi, wife of Nigerian boxer Kabiru "KB" Towolawi, who is battling cancer.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, spokesman Miyen Akiri said the donation was aimed at supporting the family with mounting medical expenses, describing the gesture as part of the event's commitment to the welfare of members of the boxing community.