Have you seen a better debutant?

[Sid-the-hat]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1y8xSUAFQs

"I don't think I've seen a talent as complete as this in his first professional fight ever" - Steve Holdsworth.

Larry 'The Natural' Ekundayo TKO3 Ben Deghani from Spencer Fearon's Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions' show on March 19 at the Troxy.

[Deserter]

Looks good, but at 29 it's difficult to see how he can go that far. Would be interested in knowing his background - presumably he's either had an extensive amateur career or competed in another combat sport?

[Sid-the-hat]

He was decorated amateur in Nigeria representing them in 2002 Commonwealth Games. Came over here and won two London titles but had immigration problems that were only resolved this year. Has been sparring reguarly with decent pros for last two years. After 5 fights this year he'll be ready to step up to title level next year.

[bripez]

He was decorated amateur in Nigeria representing them in 2002 Commonwealth Games.

I guess he didn't win a meadal otherwise you would have mentioned it ?

So what has he been doing for the last 10 years ? - has he been in ternational competitions ? (how did he do ? - did he ever qualify for an Olympics : if not, why not ?).

I don't meen to be argumentative, but the tone of the thread is that this lad is the next big thing.

He did look good, but you also need to consider the level of his opponent.

With regards to the comment from Steve Holdsworth, I can only imagine he hasn't watched the pro debuts of any Olympians in the last 50 years

[keithmoonhangover]

I watched this live and I'm sure I wasn't alone in thinking I was watching a future world champion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCuTRHT2CsU

[clintonmcphilbin]

I watched Leigh woods vs chuck Jones on is debut in nottingham and he looked class act. Did not throw bombs just totally outboxed Jones defo one to watch

[NazNaci1]

Jose Benavidez is a fine prospect and looked dazzling on his debut, but this guy does look good. Age may be a factor, though.

[keithmoonhangover]

Jose Benavidez is a fine prospect and looked dazzling on his debut, but this guy does look good. Age may be a factor, though.

Jose is great shout. He's a future hall of famer.

[Deadendgeneration]

How did Rigo look in his debut? He turned pro at about the same age as this fella but was a safe bet for world honours before making his début.

[Sid-the-hat]

He was decorated amateur in Nigeria representing them in 2002 Commonwealth Games.

I guess he didn't win a meadal otherwise you would have mentioned it ?

So what has he been doing for the last 10 years ? - has he been in ternational competitions ? (how did he do ? - did he ever qualify for an Olympics : if not, why not ?).

I don't meen to be argumentative, but the tone of the thread is that this lad is the next big thing.

He did look good, but you also need to consider the level of his opponent.

With regards to the comment from Steve Holdsworth, I can only imagine he hasn't watched the pro debuts of any Olympians in the last 50 years

I'm sure you have better credentials to make that judgement than Holdsworth.
I don't know his exact record but he had well over 100 amateur fights losing very few.
He has been in the UK for almost 10 years but only just been granted a passport.
I think Larry shows more punch variety than Hamed did on debut if not power.

[Deserter]

I think Larry shows more punch variety than Hamed did on debut if not power.

I can think of more than a few names who would look a million dollars on their debut if they also stayed amateur for another 10 years and/or spent their time sparring pros until their late 20s.
Hamed was 18 in that fight, so put things in context - he'd also already won a European title at the age of 20. Trying to compare your guy to him is laughable.