Olusegun Gets Haywood In Commonwealth Defense

Ajose Olusegun is the embodiment of any professional boxer's worst nightmare. The number 5 ranked WBC light welter is an aggressive southpaw with lighting reflexes who throws punches in bunches, forcing opponents to go defensive and cover up from the constant shelling rather than work their own game plan.

Olusegun, 25-0 (12), will appear as chief support to the Rendall Munroe vs. Kiko Martinez European super bantamweight title rematch at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England on Friday, February 27 when he defends the Commonwealth light welter title against English Champion Scott Haywood, 19-2 (4).

The undefeated 29 year old represented his native Nigeria in the 2000 Olympics before coming up short in the second round to eventual light welter Silver Medallist Ricardo Williams of America, the last time that Olusegun would taste defeat.

Relocating to England in 2001, Olusegun wiped out his early opposition, caging the WBF belt at 140 in 2002 before returning briefly to his homeland to capture the Nigerian title as well. By 2004, Olusegun had added the African Boxing Union crown to his growing trophy cabinet.

One fight later, "The Nigerian Nailer" would make a big splash in the UK by going up to welter and crushing current Commonwealth light middle champion Bradley Pryce in four brutal rounds.

Olusegun continued his reign of upsets at 147 pounds by knocking out highly regarded future Commonwealth welterweight champion Ali Nuumbembe in six frames in 2006.

In 2007, the southpaw returned to his natural weight and widely outpointed iron-chinned Gary Reid over twelve rounds to pick up the vacant Commonwealth light welter title and successfully defended the belt a year ago in a thriller with former English titlist Nigel Wright.

Since that time Olusegun has been trying to capitalize on his top five WBC ranking by calling out current champion Timothy Bradley and the title's former owner, Junior Witter. As neither man will take up the challenge, Olusegun kept sharp over the balance of 2008 with three victories over lower level opposition in six round bouts.

Later this month Olusegun will be tested again when he defends the Commonwealth crown against six foot tall challenger Scott Haywood, a very awkward and motivated fighter who has only lost once, by a single point, over the last four years.

It's a difficult situation for Olusegun, who must not only win but look good in doing so against a very difficult, hard as nails opponent in Haywood, if he is to have a chance at facing Witter or challenging Bradley for the WBC title.

Frank Maloney Promotions presents Rendall Munroe vs. Kiko Martinez for the Super Bantamweight Championship of Europe with full supporting undercard at the Metrodome in Barnsley, England on Friday, February 27, 2009.

Tickets are priced at £75 and £35 and are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office at 0871 226 1508.

Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 10PM.

SWITCH FOR CLEVERLY
 
Fast-rising boxing star Nathan Cleverly has been handed a tough fight against heavy-handed Samson "The Hammer" Onyango next Friday night.
 
The Welshman was originally scheduled to box James Obede Toney at the Oasis Sports Centre in Swindon next Friday night live on Sky Sports.
 
But when the Ghanaian was ruled out with an injury, in stepped Kenya's Onyango.
 
He has an 18-3 record with 12 stoppages, and is sure to give unbeaten Cleverly a tough fight.
 
The Blackwood hot-shot, a potential candidate for the prestigious Boxing Writers' Young Boxer of Year, is unbeaten in 14 with four KOs - and knows he'll have to be at his best.
 
"Onyango looks just as good as Toney, if not a bit better," said Cleverly.
 
"But I'm buzzing after defending my title in style just before Christmas, and I'm ready for another action-packed display next Friday.
 
"It will be a St Valentine's weekend massacre - with all the big shots coming from me.
 
"I've had a great training camp and it really doesn't matter who Frank Warren puts in front of me, I'm going to war and I'm going to win in style."
 
A pro for four years, Onyango has won six of his last seven fights.
 
Tickets, priced at £30 Bench, £40 Terraced, £60 Outer Ring-Side and £100 Ringside including VIP, are available from The Oasis on 01793 445 401.

Middleweight contender Mahir “Lion” Oral has extended his promotional contract with ARENA Box-Promotion for three more years. “I took my time to think about the offer”, states Oral. “Finally I made my decision and I am one hundred percent convinced that it is the right one. There is no better promoter in the world for me than Ahmet Öner and ARENA.

I am sure that Ahmet is the right man to push me to the top of the ratings. He knows this business very well; he is organizing excellent shows and always finds the right opponents. In addition to that I get along very well with all the other guys in the ARENA gym. My coach Hans-Jürgen Witte is great and it is fun to work with all the guys. Also Hamburg is my hometown and ARENA is based here as well.”

“I am very happy that Mahir decided to stay with ARENA”, says promoter Ahmet Öner. “He already proved that he is one of the best middleweights in the world today. And with Klitschko vs. Gomez coming up he also recognized that I am able to get world title fights for my boxers. I am sure that Mahir will make his way to the top. He is already rated very high in all major organizations. If everything goes well he might get a shot at a world title at the end of this year.

Oral’s next step on the way to a title shot will be a fight against “stable-mate” Kofi Jantuah in May. “Kofi is a very good boxer as well” adds Öner. “And he has fought for the IBF title before. I am sure that the winner of this bout will get close to a championship bout.” The exact date and place of the fight are not set yet.