In perhaps the finest performance of his career, UK-based Nigerian Larry “The Natural” Ekundayo won a 12-round unanimous over John Thain to claim the vacant IBF European welterweight title at York Hall in Bethnal Green, UK.
Ekundayo proved to be the better boxer, showing super skill over stablemate Thain, who simply had no answers.
“I have to thank MTK Global and all my sponsors and the people who helped me get here,” he said afterward. “It’s very special for me. John Thain is a very good fighter. I’m just pleased to do this for my homeland Nigeria and I want to make Nigeria proud of me.”
Thain was gracious in defeat.
“I have no complaints and no excuses. The better man won on the night and I just want to give a big thank you from me and my team for the experience.”
Final cards read 117-111, 116-112, and 115-113. The outcome was never in doubt. Ekundayo controlled the early rounds, utilizing his boxing skill to keep Thain at bay. When the Englishman did work his way inside, his Nigerian counterpart was there to greet him with punishing counters.
Thain never stopped trying but Ekundayo was a class above, busting up Thain’s nose and leaving him with little answers in close quarters.
Speaking in Yoruba, Ekundayo said that he wants to defend his title in Nigeria. He also hopes to visit Nigeria with his belt soon to thank Nigerians for their support and has promised to give back to Nigeria by helping young boxers develop their talent to international standards.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Ekundayo was born in 1982. He started boxing for self-defense at the age of 12. At 17 he qualified to take part in the 1999 All African Games in South Africa. As the 1998 Nigerian Amateur Bantamweight champion he wanted to continue in that category, but he didn’t meet up with the bantamweight requirements at the All African Games. So, he moved to the welterweight category.
In 2006 and 2007, Ekundayo (‘The Natural’) was the London Regional Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) champion. He made it to the English quarterfinals of ABA in 2007. As an amateur, he was in 125 fights – and he won 110 out of them all. However, he was unable to go professional earlier in the UK due to immigration issues.
Last year, World Heavy Weight champion, Anthony Joshua and Ekundayo met at an event and the Nigerian boxer took to his Instagram to share a video of an endorsement from the Brit boxer.
