By Stephen Jones
Diminutive powerpunching Nigerian, Fatai "Kid Dynamite" Onikeke is feeling reawakened, refreshed, after inking a long-term management deal with rising Australian manager Mike Altamura's MJA Boxing.
"It is going to be so fabulous to just eat, sleep, and breathe boxing, without any other concerns on my mind but fighting," said the 25-year-old Melbourne-based African who boasts an impressive professional record of 22-3 (19 KOs). "Mike is a good man, he knows boxing, and he has worked a lot with fellow African fighters. This is the opportunity I need to dedicate myself and win a world championship." Onikeke's new manager couldn't contain his excitement either. "Boxing fans pay for entertainment. And Fatai is entertainment. When Kid Dynamite enters the squared-circle, there's a high chance of an explosion before the night is done."
The former Commonwealth welterweight champion has entertained in his stop-start three years in Australia, scoring seven scintillating knockouts and capturing the IBF Pan Pacific 140lb title along the way. His see-saw slugfest with current world #14 Filipino Ranee Ganoy resulted in multiple knockdowns and momentum shifts, and was the consensus Australian fight of the year in 2006 among both industry insiders and fight fans.
Word throughout the boxing world though is that despite providing thrills aplenty, Onikeke has yet to reach anywhere near his full potential.
