A 16-year-old Nigerian, Raheem Animashaun has become the youngest boxer to claim the West African Boxing Union light-welterweight title, defeating Ghana’s Richman Ashelley in the sixth round.
Animashaun emerged victorious when Ashelley refused to continue in the seventh round at the National Institute for Sports in Lagos.
“My initial plan was to end the fight before the fifth round, but my opponent, whom I would describe as an experienced fighter, avoided my knockout blows, which prompted me to revert to weakening his ribs and other parts of his body, which paid off with his not answering the bell for the seventh round,” Animashaun said.
He also expressed his ambition, saying: “This title is just a stepping stone to my winning more titles in the future because I believe I have the qualities of Rocky Marciano, Azumah Nelson, Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard, Iron Mike Tyson, and Anthony Joshua to become the undisputed champions of the world.”
