Ola Afolabi | |
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Afolabi in 2015
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Statistics | |
Real name | Olawale O. Afolabi |
Nickname(s) | Kryptonite |
Rated at |
Super middleweight Light heavyweight Cruiserweight |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
Reach | 75 1⁄2 in (192 cm) |
Nationality | British |
Born |
London, England |
15 March 1980
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 31 |
Wins | 22 |
Wins by KO | 11 |
Losses | 5 |
Draws | 4 |
Olawale O. "Ola" Afolabi (born 15 March 1980) is a British professional boxer. He is a two-time former WBO interim cruiserweight champion, as well as a two-time former IBO cruiserweight champion. Nicknamed "Kryptonite", Afolabi was known in the ring for his slickness, counterpunching skills and durability. Born to Nigerian parents, Afolabi resides in California, where he also trained for the majority of his career.
Afolabi began his professional career in 2002, fighting at super middleweight and light heavyweight. In 2003 he was outpointed by Allan Green, prompting a full-time move to cruiserweight in 2004. He beat a small heavyweight clubfighter in Willie Chapman and added James Walton and Michael Simms to his victims. He also knocked out former Cruiserweight Champ Orlin Norris.
The win that put him into the limelight came over undefeated highly touted Golden Gloves champion Eric Fields whom he KO'ed in 2008. He was immediately signed to a promotional contract with Duva Boxing. Afolabi subsqequently made his national television debut on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, winning a unanimous decision over DeLeon Tinsley.
In March 2009 he scored another upset KO by defeating former WBO World Cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli to win the Interim WBO cruiserweight title in Manchester, England.
His good run ended when he lost a very close decision against Marco Huck in Germany.
He rebounded with a first round knockout over former European champion Terry Dunstan.