Ian Napa
| Ian Napa | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Ian Napa |
| Nickname(s) | Dappa |
| Rated at | Bantamweight |
| Nationality | British Zimbabwean |
| Born |
14 March 1978 Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 29 |
| Wins | 19 |
| Wins by KO | 1 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Draws | 0 |
Ian Napa (born 14 March 1978) is a British boxer originally from Zimbabwe but now living in London. He is the former European bantamweight champion and is a former two time holder of the British bantamweight title.
Napa's early career started brightly enough when he won his first eight bouts in a row. That run was to end in November 2000, when he fought Jason Booth, who at the time was the British and Commonwealth flyweight Champion. The step up in class was too much and Napa lost a points decision. It was not the first time that Napa was to be disappointed when competing for the big prizes, two fights later he found himself competing for the WBU flyweight title losing this time on points to Peter Culshaw.
After that it seemed that every time Napa stepped up in class he would come out on the wrong side of a points defeat. Since the Culshaw loss in June 2001 Napa fought and lost against Marc Callaghan (Southern Area super bantamweight title), Martin Power (British Bantamweight title), Damaen Kelly and Simone Maludrottu (European Bantamweight title).
Napa won the British title in July 2006, when he boxed a return against former conqueror Jason Booth. The fight took place at the Robin Park Center, Wigan and ended with a points victory over 12 rounds for Napa. He has defended the title there times against Lee Haskins, Martin Power and Colin Moffett. The third defence was voluntary and allowed Napa to pick up the prestigious Lonsdale belt for keeps.
Having proved himself at domestic level, Napa set his sights at another shot for the European belt against reigning champion Carmelo Ballone. Speaking before the fight Napa said "This is my second chance with home advantage for the Euro crown and I'll get it right. I've seen a couple tapes of Ballone and I think I'm too slick...Losing is something I cannot think about. There are some good British fighters, but I now believe I am above domestic level." Napa was as good as his word winning in October 2008, a majority decision verdict over the Belgian after coming on strong in the latter part of the fight and putting Ballone down in the 10th round. Speaking after the fight Napa said "I've put so much hard work in and I thank my team for this victory...I deserve this, all my hard work has finally paid off. Words cannot explain how I feel." Unfortunately for Napa his hold on the title was to prove short lived when in March 2009 he lost a unanimous decision in his first defence against Frenchman Malik Bouziane.
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