IT was a case of so near yet so far when Malawian pugilist Mussa Ajibu’s mission to clinch the World Boxing Organisation-Africa Cruiserweight belt ended in defeat in the wee hours of Saturday.
Ajibu suffered a fifth round controversial Technical Knockout to Nigerian, Olanrewaju Durodola, at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana.
It was a big blow to the nation as Ajibu was hoping to emulate the exploits of South Africa-based Isaac Chilemba and Chikoya Mphande who won similar continental belts. Before the fight, Durodola was taller and weighed 186 pounds whereas Ajibu was relatively shorter and weighed 198 pounds. The maximum weight limit is 200 pounds.
It meant that Ajibu was heavier but he had to be cautious as his opponent had long reach. Ajibu’s Zimbabwean trainer, Clyde Musonda, blamed the referee for stopping the contest without proper reasons. The contest was scheduled
for 12-rounds but it was stopped in round five in 2 minutes 46 seconds. Musonda accused the referee of robbing Ajibu victory in a bout he dominated in the early rounds.
“Mussa dominated all rounds. He was the one leading and he had all support from the Ghanaians. In the third round Mussa knocked down Durodola and he managed to beat the count. In the fourth round it was 50/50 with boxers exchanging blows,” he said.
Musonda said he was stunned when the referee stopped the contest in round five at a time both boxers were exchanging blows. “The referee just jumped to the centre and stopped the fight leaving the whole arena and the WBO Africa President asking why the referee suddenly stopped the fight. I asked the referee why he stopped the bout but he failed to tell me the reason,” he said.
Musonda added that the WBO Africa President consoled the Malawian camp and promised to look into the issue and also give Ajibu another chance to challenge for the same belt.
Some local boxing followers cried foul over the result suspecting that the referee was bribed and other fans called for review of the DVD to have a proper opinion. Following the defeat, Ajibu, 31, is stuck with 27 wins including 23 knockouts, eight defeats and five draws.
In his last seven fights, Ajibu has won and drawn twice each and he has lost three times whereas Nigerian Olanrewaju, 36, has improved his record to 25 wins including 22 knockouts and has lost three times.
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