Ajose Olusegun
Encyclopedia
Ajose Olusegun is a Nigerian-born British
professional boxer. He competed for Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games
reaching the 2nd round. As a professional he is unbeaten and is the former British and current Commonwealth light welterweight champion.
, London
. The former amateur won when the fight was stopped in the first round against Tony Montana. After compiling a ledger of 6-0 he won his first career title, the lightly regarded WBF Inter-continental title against Walthamstow
's Martin Holgate. He followed that win by collecting the Nigerian light welterweight
title and the African Boxing Union title at the same weight. In September 2004 having compiled a record of 13-0 he met possibly his toughest test when he scored a 4th round win over the talented Bradley Pryce
in the Newport Centre
in Newport
.
pulled out with just 10 days to go. Discussing the fight beforehand Olusegun said “I have great respect for Gary Reid as he is the only British based fighter who is willing to get into the ring with me". Bemoaning the fact that he found it tough to find opponents he added “I am desperate to fight the best but the best don’t want to fight me. I am a lonely shark in the light welterweight ocean." Olusegun ended up winning a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds.
The first defence of his title was made in February 2008 when Ajose beat Nigel Wright
in Peterlee
, Durham
again over 12 rounds. Following the defence Olusegun won three non-title fights with the intention of staying busy whilst calling out the likes of former WBC champion Junior Witter
. In February 2009 he made the second defence of his title, beating former English champion Scott Haywood at the Barnsley Metrodome
.
for the vacant British
light welterweight title, a contest that was only able to take place following the granted of British citizenship to Olusegun on the grounds of residency. Also on the line was the Commonwealth title that the two boxers had previously fought for in February 2008. Olusegun again won the contest with a unanimous points decision to become a two-belt champion. Rather than defending the British belt however Olusegun gave it up choosing to take the opportunity to fight in a World title eliminator instead against undefeated Romanian boxer Ionut Dan in a bout which was scheduled take place on 9 October 2009. The bout against Dan however never materialized and in the intervening period the title was won by Lenny Daws
. Olusegun, now the WBC's
number 2 ranked boxer next fought on the undercard of David Haye's
heavyweight title defence against John Ruiz
at the MEN Arena in Manchester
. The fight was to be a further defence of the Commonwealth title which he still held and pitched him against Colin Lynes
, a man he had been scheduled to fight once before. The defence on 3 April 2010 saw him retain the belt for the fourth time against Lynes who was also a former British champion and who had also held the European
belt. On 12 February 2011 Olusegun competed in a non-title six round fight beating Polish journeyman Arek Malek with a World title eliminator still not having come to fruition.
in California. The fight, which went the 12 round distance, saw Olusegun put his opponent down twice in the 3rd round to line up a potential fight against current champion Erik Morales
for the full title.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional boxer. He competed for Nigeria at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Games
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
reaching the 2nd round. As a professional he is unbeaten and is the former British and current Commonwealth light welterweight champion.
Early professional career
Ajose began his career as a professional in May 2001 at the Royal Gardens Hotel in KensingtonKensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The former amateur won when the fight was stopped in the first round against Tony Montana. After compiling a ledger of 6-0 he won his first career title, the lightly regarded WBF Inter-continental title against Walthamstow
Walthamstow
Walthamstow is a district of northeast London, England, located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. It is situated north-east of Charing Cross...
's Martin Holgate. He followed that win by collecting the Nigerian light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
title and the African Boxing Union title at the same weight. In September 2004 having compiled a record of 13-0 he met possibly his toughest test when he scored a 4th round win over the talented Bradley Pryce
Bradley Pryce
Bradley Pryce is a Welsh professional boxer. He usually fights at light middleweight or the divisions either side, is a two time challenger for the British title and is a former Commonwealth champion....
in the Newport Centre
Newport Centre
The Newport Centre is the biggest leisure centre in the city of Newport in the United Kingdom. The Newport Centre is located in the city centre adjacent to the Kingsway Shopping Centre. It holds events such as concerts, conferences and exhibitions. The centre hosts the Welsh Open snooker...
in Newport
Newport
Newport is a city and unitary authority area in Wales. Standing on the banks of the River Usk, it is located about east of Cardiff and is the largest urban area within the historic county boundaries of Monmouthshire and the preserved county of Gwent...
.
Commonwealth Champion
Olusegun scored one other significant victory, a 6th round knockout of Namibia's Ali Nuumbembe in June 2006 before getting the chance a year later to fight for the vacant Commonwealth light welterweight title against Stoke's Gary Reid. Olusegun had been due to fight for the crown 18 months before when then opponent Colin LynesColin Lynes
Colin Lynes is a British professional boxer from Hornchurch in London. He is a former IBO World, British and European champion at light welterweight and is the reigning British champion at welterweight.-Early Professional Career:...
pulled out with just 10 days to go. Discussing the fight beforehand Olusegun said “I have great respect for Gary Reid as he is the only British based fighter who is willing to get into the ring with me". Bemoaning the fact that he found it tough to find opponents he added “I am desperate to fight the best but the best don’t want to fight me. I am a lonely shark in the light welterweight ocean." Olusegun ended up winning a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds.
The first defence of his title was made in February 2008 when Ajose beat Nigel Wright
Nigel Wright (boxer)
Nigel Wright is a professional boxer, fighting out of Crook, England. He is a southpaw fighter standing at , with a record of 22-6-1, with 9 KOs and is a three-time English light welterweight champion and a two-time challenger for both the British and the Commonwealth titles.-Early professional...
in Peterlee
Peterlee
Peterlee is a new town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1948, Peterlee town originally mostly housed coal miners and their families.Peterlee has strong economic and community ties with Sunderland and Hartlepool.-Peterlee:...
, Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
again over 12 rounds. Following the defence Olusegun won three non-title fights with the intention of staying busy whilst calling out the likes of former WBC champion Junior Witter
Junior Witter
Junior Witter is a professional boxer from Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He is the former WBC, European, British, and Commonwealth light welterweight champion.-Early professional career:...
. In February 2009 he made the second defence of his title, beating former English champion Scott Haywood at the Barnsley Metrodome
Barnsley Metrodome
The Barnsley Metrodome is one of the UK's premier sports facilities. It is located along Queens Road, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, in England...
.
British champion
On 13th June 2009 Olusegun challenged former opponent Nigel WrightNigel Wright (boxer)
Nigel Wright is a professional boxer, fighting out of Crook, England. He is a southpaw fighter standing at , with a record of 22-6-1, with 9 KOs and is a three-time English light welterweight champion and a two-time challenger for both the British and the Commonwealth titles.-Early professional...
for the vacant British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
light welterweight title, a contest that was only able to take place following the granted of British citizenship to Olusegun on the grounds of residency. Also on the line was the Commonwealth title that the two boxers had previously fought for in February 2008. Olusegun again won the contest with a unanimous points decision to become a two-belt champion. Rather than defending the British belt however Olusegun gave it up choosing to take the opportunity to fight in a World title eliminator instead against undefeated Romanian boxer Ionut Dan in a bout which was scheduled take place on 9 October 2009. The bout against Dan however never materialized and in the intervening period the title was won by Lenny Daws
Lenny Daws
Lenny Daws is a professional boxer, fighting out of Morden, England. He is a former two time British light welterweight champion and a former English light welterweight champion.-Early professional career:...
. Olusegun, now the WBC's
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
number 2 ranked boxer next fought on the undercard of David Haye's
David Haye
David Deron Haye is a retired English professional boxer,Haye is the former WBA heavyweight champion. He is also the former unified world cruiserweight champion, holding the WBA, WBC, WBO, and The Ring cruiserweight titles, and also the former European cruiserweight champion.- Amateur :Haye...
heavyweight title defence against John Ruiz
John Ruiz
John "The Quietman" Ruiz , is a former American professional boxer. Ruiz is the first Latino heavyweight champion and former two-time WBA heavyweight champion. After a professional career spanning over 18 years, Ruiz officially announced his retirement from the sport at a press conference on April...
at the MEN Arena in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
. The fight was to be a further defence of the Commonwealth title which he still held and pitched him against Colin Lynes
Colin Lynes
Colin Lynes is a British professional boxer from Hornchurch in London. He is a former IBO World, British and European champion at light welterweight and is the reigning British champion at welterweight.-Early Professional Career:...
, a man he had been scheduled to fight once before. The defence on 3 April 2010 saw him retain the belt for the fourth time against Lynes who was also a former British champion and who had also held the European
European Boxing Union
The European Boxing Union is an organization that oversees competition in that sport over the continent of Europe.-History:The EBU started life as the International Boxing Union in Paris in 1910...
belt. On 12 February 2011 Olusegun competed in a non-title six round fight beating Polish journeyman Arek Malek with a World title eliminator still not having come to fruition.
WBC World title eliminator
Olusegun finally became the mandatory challenger for the WBC light welterweight title on 30 September 2011 with a win over Frenchman Ali ChebahAli Chebah
Ali Chebah , is a French professional boxer in the light welterweight division.Chebah was born in Mont-Saint-Aignan, Seine-Maritime, France and is French Algerian....
in California. The fight, which went the 12 round distance, saw Olusegun put his opponent down twice in the 3rd round to line up a potential fight against current champion Erik Morales
Erik Morales
Érik Isaac Morales Elvira is a Mexican professional boxer. He is the first Mexican born boxer in history to win a world title in four weight classes and is the current WBC Light Welterweight Champion...
for the full title.