Promising Nigerian heavyweight Onoriode “Godzilla” Ehwarieme promises to bounce back in style when he headlines GOtv Boxing Night 20 against Argentina’s Ariel Bracamonte Saturday night at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Nigeria.
Ewharieme (17-1, 16 KOs) suffered his only career loss when he was kayoed in round one by Mexico’s Rodney Hernandez.
“I miscalculated and got punished for that,” he said about the loss. “The round was coming to an end and I relaxed hoping to return in the second round to knock him out but he caught me with a left hook as I lost my balance and a second hook followed and despite beating the count I could not keep my footing and the referee waved it off.”
That was on June 1, same night and almost the same time Anthony Joshua was being knocked out by Andy Ruiz in their first meeting.
“I was making my American debut like A.J. and we both got knocked out by United States-based Mexicans,” he laughed.
“That loss set me back but I have put it behind me and now looking forward to a new beginning.”
That new beginning starts on Saturday when he faces a huge test against Bracamonte (9-4, 5 KOs) in front of his compatriots in the Flykite Productions main event.
“I want to bounce back in style and I want to brutally knock him out to re-assure my fans who must have lost hope in me after that loss,” Ewharieme assured.
The Sapele, Delta State-born Ewharieme thought his career had taken a huge leap when he signed with legendary promoter Don King in 2018. But after waiting seven months without any fight from King, he sought a release.
Without much resistance Ehwarieme was able to get his release from King and later linked up with Jay Jimenez, who manages top heavyweight contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz.
“I was so happy when that chapter of my career ended,” said Ewharieme.
Now 32, he’s fighting for the vacant WBF Intercontinental belt and has promised to make a short work of his opponent.
“I will knock [Bracamonte] out in round two,” Ewharieme declared. “I have fought many times in his home country, Argentina, but I don’t know much about him but have watched his fight videos.
“None of all the men from his country that I have fought went the distance with me and he won’t be different I can assure you.”
Bracamonte was unsuccessful when he fought for the WBO Global and IBO International heavyweight titles earlier this year. He arrived in Lagos on Monday night with a promise to return home with the WBF title around his waist.
“I am here for business, Onos stands no chance of winning,” he said. “That he is fighting in his country does not matter to me. I have defeated many boxers in their home countries, he will be no exception.”
–Ralph Chidozie George
