Friday Revive Career With Mike Promotions
June 05, 2009 14:40, 10 views
When in May 2006 Felix ‘Jumbo’ Friday lost his Bantamweight title to Adewale ‘Oke
Ibadan’ Ibrahim, boxing followers had thought his case would be like that of a ram
that went back to reinforce, but after so long he is nowhere on the boxing scene
Although he lost the bout in the 6th round, so many people were of the view that he
would bounce back like a wounded lion. The opposite is however the case as the
stoutly built professional pugilist disappeared into oblivion.
His disappearance left tongues wagging. Professional boxing followers have been
bombarding Boxing In Focus with calls and e-mails asking the where the dark-skinned
professional boxer is.
After series of calls and frantic efforts to get across to him, the attempts finally
paid off as Boxing In Focus was able to trace him to his home and he had a lot to
talk about.
Friday said after passing through thick and thin since losing the title, he actually
travelled out to Benin Republic and Burkina Faso, where he had fought on two
occasions.
He narrated how he lost the fight against Alexis Boureima Kabore on 14 February at
the La Place de la Nation, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. He said he outpunched his
opponent with the hope that he would emerge the winner of the bout, but to his
surprise, the fight was given to his opponent, the French boxer.
‘‘We finished the 8th round, and I thought I was leading the fight, my corner and
fans were already in jubilant mood only for the judges to award the fight to the
home boy. I eventually left partially disappointed, but glad that I was able to
revive my dwindling career.”
After the loss in Burkina Faso, Friday also lost another fight to Fatiou Fassinou at
the Hall des Arts, Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The fight was for the vacant CAB Bantamweight title. He again alleged that he was
robbed by the judges.
Back in the country, he is poised to rekindle his professional boxing career after
signing a contract with Mike Boxing Promotions.
The manager of Mike Promotions, Onyeka Elum, said he is prepared to help revive
Friday’s dying career provided the boxer is prepared to abide by the rules guiding
his promotions.
According to him, ‘‘I’ve known Friday to be a good pugilist, he had his ups and
downs and I believe that his return to the country will change a lot about his
career.”
http://thepmnews.com/2009/06/05/friday- ... promotions
Onyeka Elum
www.mikeboxingtv.com