Sports
Unbeaten Nigerian Akpejiori Challenges Fury To A Fight
Nigerian boxer, Raphael Akpejiori, who impressively beat Steven Lyons in the opening round in a Miami bout last Saturday , has called out Tyson Fury for a fight.
Tidesports source gathered that the Nigerian has always admitted that Fury would be a dream fight for him, and he even offered to have a bout with him earlier this year.
Akpejiori, 30, has won his previous 12 fights in the opening two rounds and is now seeking a fight with WBC heavyweight champion, Fury or top contender, Dillian Whyte.
Speaking to newsmen, after the fight, he said: “If I was going to name a dream fight for me in the next year, I would say Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte.
“But my goal is to have the heavyweight belts in my hand.
“Once I’ve accomplished that, everything else will fall in place.”
Back in 2020, Akpejiori called out Anthony Joshua for a fight, offering to have the bout in his home country of Nigeria, where Joshua also has links with, saying that the whole of Africa would tune in. Akpejiori also believes that a fight with Fury would help the Gypsy King prepare for the Battle of Britain with Joshua, expected to take place at some point in the future.
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches tall, Akpejiori is guided by trainer Glen Johnson, the former world light-heavyweight champion.
Born in Lagos, the former of Nigeria, it was in 2008 at the age of 17, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, on a basketball scholarship, where he attended Sunrise Christian Academy.
In 2010, he moved to Miami, Florida, after being recruited by the University of Miami basketball team, eventually switching to play American football and gaining a place at the Miami Dolphins’ rookie training camp. Akpejiori has a record of 12 wins from 12 fights.
By: Nancy Briggs
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”
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