Andrew Kabangai
Name: Andrew Kabangai
Alias: The G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time)
Born: October 14, 1996
Birthplace: Kenema, Sierra Leone
Nationality: Sierra Leonean
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Stance: Orthodox
Height: 5′ 9″
Boxing Record: 45-3-1
Weight Class: Welterweight, Middleweight
Andrew Kabangai (United States)
AIBA World Ranking - No. 5
One of the most successful of the current crop of top amateurs. I first noticed him when he won the ABA rookie of the year title in his home town at the 2011 rookie of the year tournament. He recently added the National Amateur Championship belt to his impressive collection.
A speedy, aggressive, intelligent, busy fighter, not short on skills, who is rulin the sport's welterweight division. Currently ranked No. 1 in the nation according to the ABA, and No. 5 in the world according to the AIBA, but in my opinion, he's the best in the world at his weight. After all, he comfortably beat the current no.1 world ranked fighter, Jong Hun Shin of South Korea in the World's final (20 points to 11).
Amateur Achievements
2011 ABA rookie of the year
2012 ABA/ABL fighter of the year
2013 ABA/ABL fighter of the year
2014 ABA National welterweight champion
2015 Unified ABA and ABL National Welterweight Champion
2016 Unified ABA and ABL National Welterweight Champion
2016 ABL National Middleweight Champion
2016 ABA/ABL Fighter of the year
Champion After four impressive career advancing wins, and two Fighter of the year awards, Andrew Kabangai finally got his unquestionable title fight with former Undisputed Welterweight Champion, Matthew Fitzpatrick on August 22, 2014 at the Blue Horizon Boxing Arena, Philadelphia, PA, United States. Kabangai faced off against the champion at the Blue Horizon and scored an impressive 10th round knockout over Fitzpatrick. Besides capturing his dream of becoming a national champion, Kabangai also brought a major championship back to his hometown of Philadelphia, PA. There hadn't been a Philly world champion in over 26 years. Kabangai was able to pressure Fitzpatrick throughout the fight cutting off the ring, landing good shots and not letting Fitzpatrick get into his rhythm of jab and move, Fitzpatrick was able to perry the jab of Kabangai occasionally but couldn't capitalize. Midway through the 10th a perfect 1-2 combo landed on the chin of Fitzpatrick backing him up to the ropes, Kabangai followed up with two straight rights to the head that knocked Fitzpatrick down and into a daze, Fitzpatrick got to his feet but after taking too many good shots and with so much time left in the round, the referee Mark Nelson waved of the fight at 1:25 of the round, declaring Kabangai the new ABA National welterweight champion.
1st Title Defense He made the first defense of his ABA title in a rematch against James "Demon of the south paw" Warthan on November 22, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA. Warthan faced off against Kabangai 2 years earlier. Warthan besides being the favored in the fight could not pull off a win against Kabangai, the fight then went to the judges scorecards who scored the fight an impressive three way draw. In the rematch, The Grim Reaper made a statement by winning a 12 round onesided victory, which avenged his draw with the Demon of the south paw, winning by unanimous decision over Warthan. The scores read 119-100, 117-111 and 119-101.
Title Unification
After defending his title three times in a row, Andrew Kabangai and Stephan Hopemen were set to meet in the ring on August 15, 2015, for the unification of their ABA & ABL national welterweight title belts. Kabangai flawlessly defeated Stephan Hopemen with a sixth round TKO to become the unified ABA & ABL National welterweight champion. Andrew Kabangai is currently recognized as the undisputed champion of the amateur welterweight division by the ABA/ABL.