Nigeria’s Efetobor Apochi and Wale Omotoso return to the ring tonight at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Undefeated Apochi will fight once-beaten Earl Newman in an eight-round cruiserweight contest. The 31-year-old, Ughelli-born boxer is confident Newman won’t last more than four rounds with him.
Apochi said, “Fans should expect a knockout in less than three or four rounds, because I looked Earl Newman up and he is pretty decent. So, he might be able to survive the first two rounds but the ‘Nigerian Pitbull’ plays rough.”
An accomplished amateur in Nigeria, where he captained the boxing team to a bronze-winning performance at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Apochi has knocked out all his opponents in his seven fights since turning professional in 2017.
Newman, 27, is looking to rebound from a decision loss to Lionell Thompson in November 2017. He has won 10 out 12 fights since he began professional boxing in 2014 and has lost and drawn once.
The Brooklyn, New York, native was unbeaten in his first 10 pro fights.
Also fighting on the same undercard will be Wale “Lucky Boy” Omotoso, who faces the undefeated Chordale Booker (14-0, 7 KOs) in a 10-round super welterweight contest.
Omotoso (27-3, 21 KOs) last fought in December 2017, beating Freddy Hernandez.
Omotoso, 33 is unfazed by fighting a younger undefeated boxer and believes the toughest man will win.
Omotoso said: “I got the call to fight a young, undefeated fighter in Booker and I said bring it on.
“I am really happy he took the fight because most people say I am too dangerous and too tough.
“I will give it all I got. When I go to the ring, I put all my effort and training into the fight. That is the way this sport is.
“I know he is going to come in with all he has got, but the toughest man will win.”
Born in Lagos but now training in Los Angeles, Omotoso learned to fight in the streets before honing his skills in the boxing gym. He calls himself “Lucky Boy” because he feels fortunate to have made it off the streets alive and become a successful professional boxer.
–today.ng
