From Motor Park Tout to World Champion
How Olanrewaju Durodola embraced boxing was not only interesting but dramatic. Before becoming a boxer, he was comfortable with life as a mwotor park tout, collecting money from commercial bus drivers for a union in Lagos. He was effectively using his hug
Standing at six feet, nine inches, Olanrewaju Durodola in his short time as a professional boxer had already caused one of the greatest upsets in the history of the sport after beating Russian knockout terror, Dmitry Kudryashov in the second round to the surprise of the boxing world. Russians were so devastated after the fight that they accused Durodola of spicing his system with illegal drugs before the fight but he was later given a clean bill of health after an investigation carried out by WBC officials.
“His (Kudryashov) camp was very shocked and embarrassed after I knocked him out in round two and they tried everything to ensure that I did not return to Nigeria with the belt. That was why they came up with the claim that I had enhanced my system with drug, with the hope that I will be barred and he would still hold on to the belt. But after investigation by the WBC, I was cleared. I don’t use drugs; I use the strength God gave me. That’s why I am called God’s Power. I have to admit that I never knew it would be that quick, but I was ready for him. I had studied him. He is a big puncher but so I am,” Durodola said.
His victory against Kudryashov in Kazan, Russia to win the vacant WBC Silver Cruiserweight title did not go unnoticed as he was in January honoured by President he possesses, Durodola who made his professional debut in 2011 also holds the WBC Continental Americas cruiserweight, World Boxing CouncilAfrican Boxing Union (WBC-ABU) cruiserweight title and is currently ranked second by the WBC with a professional record of 22 wins (20 K0s) and two losses.
The 35-year old boxer was discovered by Coach Adefemi Babafemi, who was then the chief coach of Lagos State at a boxing club in Lagos Island.
“I discovered the talent and potential in him and I encouraged him and even devoting extra days with him. From then on, he went to represent Lagos State at the National Sports Festival in Abuja. That was where he got his first recognition after winning gold and he was then invited to the national camp, after which he represented Nigeria at the All Africa Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics before turning professional in 2011. And since then, there was no turning back for him,”Babafemi said.
Durodola, who is expecting his first child very soon, said he would encourage his children to take to boxing because he loves the sport so much. “If I had to reincarnate, I would still be a boxer,” he said.