Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, national light welterweight boxing champion, has explained why he stopped Tombraye “Tornado” Christmas, his opponent at GOtv Boxing Night 8, in the first round.
Fijabi, whose explosive combination of punches ended ‘Christmas’ dream of an upset in 58 seconds, said his fight with Christmas was aimed at putting fear into his future opponents.
“I knocked him out as a warning to my future opponents. I hope they got the message that I am not that type of guy to go messing around with. This warning is to every boxer in my category on the African continent, as I am gunning for the African title. That is my immediate ambition,” he said.
Fijabi also thanked sponsors and organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, saying their intervention has rescued boxing.
“A person like me would never have gone professional if not for GOtv Boxing Night. I wanted to remain an amateur because there was nothing to aspire to as a professional. But GOtv came, offering considerably better remuneration and offering encouragement to boxers. I am glad I took the opportunity,” said Fijabi, a two-time winner of the N1million cash prize for the best boxer at the event.
He called on other corporate organisations to emulate GOtv by getting involved in the promotion of boxing.
