Following a controversial fight in Accra, Ghana, that was eventually overturned in favor of Nigerian boxer Rasheed Idowu celebrated on Wednesday by accepting his African light-heavyweight championship from the Universal Boxing Organization.
As medical professionals frantically attempted to revive Bastie Samie, Idowu wheeled away in triumph after controlling the bout in two rounds and dropping his Ghanaian opponent to the mat twice.
However, Ghanaian officials announced the fight a draw, before the UBO upturned the result in favour of the Nigerian.
The UBO belt was delivered in Nigeria by the Ghana Boxing Authority on April 17, four days after the controversial bout, and it was presented to the NBBofC chairman in Lagos State.
However, it would take 13 more days before it would be presented to its rightful owner Idowu, who lives in Ibadan, where he trains at the Francis Aiyegbeni Boxing Club, when the belt arrived.
Upon receiving his belt at the NBBofC office in Surulere, Lagos State on Wednesday, the 25-year-old’s joy knew no bounds.
“I’m so happy and I give thanks to God and big thanks to my manager Mrs Edna Aiyegbeni. It means a lot for my life that I have this belt now, I have gained more knowledge and more fans all around the world.
“That victory makes me know that my future is bright and so I will keep training to keep fit, the next step is to defend my belt and I will retain it” Idowu.
On April 13, the Nigerian fondly called ‘ID Buster’ faced off against Ghanaian Samie at the Decathlon Kawukudi Park in Accra, Ghana but was controversially denied victory after knocking out his foe.
Fighting away from home, Idowu had expected a hostile environment but was still left stunned by the events that transpired afterwards in their contest for the then-vacant UBO African light-heavyweight title.
As the two traded punches, Idowu floored Samie twice in the second round with left hooks. Samie recovered from the first knockdown to the cheer of the home fans, but the home boy was due for some more punishment.
On his recovery from the first knockdown, Idowu followed it up with some combination punches and then another left hook, which sent the Ghanaian back to the canvas and out cold leaving the referee no option but to end the bout. Medical personnel rushed to the ring to revive the unconscious Samie, who laid sprawled, arms outstretched as his corner personnel frantically tried to remove his mouth guard.
Idowu and his pocket of supporters, as well as the home fans at the venue, had expected that the Nigerian pugilist would be announced as the winner by KO or TKO.
