Boxing: Olowu Vows To Return Stronger After KO Loss

Nigerian boxer, Taiwo Olowu, has promised fans he will return stronger after suffering a devastating first-round knockout loss to Russian Khuseyn Baysangurov at the IBA Champions’ Night in Sochi, Russia.

The two-time West African Boxing Union super-welterweight champion recorded his third loss in his 20th fight against the former IBF champion Baysangurov after 10 rounds of their welterweight bout.

Olowu, who is also the reigning national welterweight champion, was always in for a tough test as his Russian opponent not only had home advantage,but had also only lost one fight out of 23 prior to facing the Nigerian.

In a statement released by Olowu’s management team, Saleh Gloves Promotions, led by Saleh Fawaz, they took responsibility for accepting the bout on short notice when they were informed two weeks before the fight.

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“We take full responsibility for accepting such a big fight on short notice that involved so many behind the scene factors in such a short period and that did not help matters against one of the best welterweight boxers in world boxing today. No excuses, life itself is about learning.

“Olowu is fearless and accepted the fight instantly, he is very disappointed at the moment but he is so determined to move forward the right way. He is currently in a very healthy rank among the welterweight division and so with that being said, we will continue pushing with everything possible to climb even further,” the statement read in part.

Olowu himself has promised to come back stronger when he returns to the boxing ring saying, “We will do everything in our power to correct every mistake and come back stronger than ever.”

Olowu is ranked first in Nigeria among welterweights and 114th in the world, while Baysangurov is ranked third in Russia among super-welterweights and 24th in the world.