Olawale O. "Ola" Afolabi (born 15 March 1980) is an English-American professional boxer. He is a two-time former WBO interim cruiserweight champion, as well as a two-time former IBO cruiserweight champion.[1] 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 most of his career.[citation needed]

Ola Afolabi
Afolabi in 2015
Born
Olawale O. Afolabi

(1980-03-15) 15 March 1980 (age 44)
London, England
NationalityBritish
Other namesKryptonite
Statistics
Weight(s)Super middleweight
Light heavyweight
Cruiserweight
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Reach75+12 in (192 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins22
Wins by KO11
Losses6
Draws4

Career

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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 subsequently 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.[2]

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.

After his 4th fight with Huck, a 10th round stoppage loss, Afolabi decided to call time and announced his retirement.[3]

Afolabi vs Huck II

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After defeating 2 journeymen, Afolabi got a rematch against Huck on 5 May 2012, for Huck's WBO Cruiserweight championship, which would be in Germany as in their first match. In their previous bout, it was a very close fight ending with Huck escaping with a razor-thin majority decision victory. However, in the rematch, it was even closer than the first bout, with a brutal 12 rounds in a great fight. Unfortunately for Afolabi, the fight ended in a split draw, and Huck retained his WBO belt.

Professional boxing record

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22 Wins (11 knockouts, 11 decisions), 6 Losses, 4 Draws[4]
Result Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Loss 22–6–4   Mario Daser TKO 3 (12), 2:00 2017-05-19   Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg
Loss 22–5–4   Marco Huck RTD 10 (12), 3:00 2016-02-27   Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle, Nordrhein-Westfalen Lost IBO Cruiserweight title.
Win 22–4–4   Rakhim Chakhkiyev KO 5 (12), 1:44 2015-11-04   TatNeft Arena, Kazan Won IBO Cruiserweight title.
IBF Cruiserweight title eliminator.
Loss 21–4–4   Victor Emilio Ramírez UD 12 2015-04-10   Villa La Ñata Sporting Club, Benavídez, Buenos Aires For interim IBF Cruiserweight title.
Win 21–3–4   Anthony Caputo Smith RTD 3 (12), 3:00 2014-07-26   Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 20–3–4   Łukasz Janik MD 12 2013-11-02   The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City Won vacant IBO Cruiserweight title.
Loss 19–3–4   Marco Huck MD 12 2013-06-08   Max-Schmeling-Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin For WBO Cruiserweight title.
Draw 19–2–4   Marco Huck MD 12 2012-05-05   Messehalle, Erfurt, Thuringia For WBO Cruiserweight title.
Win 19–2–3   Valery Brudov RTD 5 (12), 3:00 2012-03-03   Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen Won interim WBO Cruiserweight title.
Win 18–2–3   Lukasz Rusiewicz UD 8 2011-09-10   Stadion Miejski, Wrocław
Win 17–2–3   Terry Dunstan KO 1 (12), 2:40 2011-07-02   Imtech Arena, Altona, Hamburg Retained WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title.
Win 16–2–3   Lubos Suda TKO 5 (12) 2011-03-19   Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title.
Win 15–2–3   Sandro Siproshvili UD 10 2010-10-16   O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg
Loss 14–2–3   Marco Huck UD 12 2009-12-05   Arena Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg For WBO Cruiserweight title.
Win 14–1–3   Enzo Maccarinelli KO 9 (12), 1:50 2009-03-14   M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester Won interim WBO Cruiserweight title.
Win 13–1–3   DeLeon Tinsley UD 8 2008-08-15   Ibiza Nightclub, Washington, D.C.
Win 12–1–3   Eric Fields TKO 10 (10), 0:55 2008-04-12   Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma Washington Won vacant WBO NABO Cruiserweight title.
Win 11–1–3   Orlin Norris TKO 7 (8), 2:31 2005-11-03   4th and B, San Diego, California
Win 10–1–3   Michael Simms UD 8 2005-08-19   Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 9–1–3   James Walton UD 4 2005-05-27   Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Draw 8–1–3   Jonathan Young PTS 6 2005-01-14   Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California
Win 8–1–2   Willie Chapman TKO 2 (6), 0:54 2004-11-05   Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 7–1–2   Carlos Raul Ibarra UD 4 2004-08-37   The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 6–1–2   Man Semou Diouf KO 5 (6), 0:57 2004-07-09   Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 5–1–2   Gustavo Arroyo TKO 2 (4), 1:44 2004-04-23   The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 4–1–2   Germain Thedford UD 4 2004-02-13   Fort Cheyenne Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Draw 3–1–2   Anthony Russell PTS 4 2003-09-05   Stardust Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 3–1–1   Alejandro Rafael Virgen UD 4 2003-04-11   Radisson Hotel, Fresno, California
Loss 2–1–1   Allan Green UD 4 2003-03-08   Marconi Automotive Museum, Tustin, California
Win 2–0–1   Joe Mendoza UD 4 2003-02-07   Radisson Hotel, Fresno, California
Win 1–0–1   Tom Perea UD 4 2002-07-11   SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California
Draw 0–0–1   Gerard Barber PTS 4 2002-02-14   Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California Professional debut.

References

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  1. ^ "Ola Afolabi". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  2. ^ "BBC SPORT | Boxing | Warren's warning to Maccarinelli". BBC News. 15 March 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  3. ^ Gilbert, Peter. "Ola Afolabi calls time on boxing on 36th birthday | Boxing News". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Ola Afolabi". BoxRec.com. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
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Sporting positions
Vacant
Title last held by
Victor Emilio Ramirez
WBO cruiserweight champion
Interim title

14 March 2009 – 5 December 2009
Lost bid for full title
Vacant
Title next held by
Himself
Vacant
Title last held by
Himself
WBO cruiserweight champion
Interim title

3 March 2012 – 8 June 2013
Lost bid for full title
Vacant
Title next held by
Krzysztof Głowacki
Vacant
Title last held by
Danny Green
IBO cruiserweight champion
2 November 2013 – 2015
Vacant
Title next held by
Rakhim Chakhkiyev
Preceded by IBO cruiserweight champion
4 November 2015 – 27 February 2016
Succeeded by