Entertainment

5 Famous British Boxers That Are Originally From Nigeria (Photos)

1. David Bankole Adeleye

David Bankole Adeleye, born 16 November 1996, is a British professional boxer.

As an amateur, he competed at the 2013 English National Junior Championships in the heavyweight event.

David Bankole Adeleye was born on 16 November 1996 in London, England. He is the son of Nigerian parents who hailed from Ikole in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Adeleye’s parents never wished for him to go into professional boxing until he had at least finished higher education. When Adeleye was growing up, he admired Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali and Roy Jones.

Adeleye began boxing at the Dale Youth Club, at the age of fourteen, under the tutelage of Gary McGuiness. He became Junior ABA champion in 2013, and winning the Senior ABA Novices in 2017, before winning the Senior ABA title in 2018. He later represented England in an international against Denmark in 2018 and secured gold at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Boxing Championships.

On 12 July 2019, it was confirmed that Adeleye had turned professional under Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions banner. Adeleye made his professional debut on 21 December 2019, on the undercard of Daniel Dubois against Kyotaro Fujimoto for the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena in London. The referee, Mark Bates, called a halt to proceedings as Adeleye defeated Lithunaian fighter Dmitrij Kalinovskij through technical knockout in the first round.

On 10 July 2020, Adeleye returned with a second-round knockout over Matt Gordon at the BT Sport Studio in London. Adeleye’s third fight was a return to the BT Sport Studio on 29 August against Phil Williams, whom Adeleye stopped in the third round, achieving his third knockout victory in a row.

Adeleye, who had combined amateur boxing with his studies, graduated in 2018 from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in Business Management, in which his dissertation was on the business aspect of boxing.

2. Michele Aboro

Michele Aboro is a British professional boxer.

Michele Aboro was born on July 17, 1967. She was ranked as one of the greatest women boxers in history, retiring as an undefeated Women’s International Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight champion. She also excelled as a kickboxer and motivational trainer.

Michele Aboro was born in Hammersmith, West London, and relocated to Peckham in South London at the age of two when her parents separated. Her Nigerian father died when she was sixteen.

On March 4, 1995, she debuted as a professional boxer, and her first three bouts were all first round knockout wins for Aboro. In her fourth fight, in October, she won by a sixth round technical knockout. Aboro followed with one more victory, and then, on November 29, 1997, she took on future world champion Daisy Lang, defeating her by a six round decision.

The following year, Aboro fought Brigitte Pastor for the vacant WIBF European Super Bantamweight title, knocking her out in five rounds to win her first professional belt. She defended her title once, knocking out Galina Gumliiska in eight rounds on November 28, then followed that win with four consecutive wins before obtaining her first world title opportunity.

Aboro became a world champion when she fought Eva Jones, on February 5, 2000, knocking Jones out in round ten to become the WIBF’s world Super Bantamweight champion. She entered the ring with future world champion Leona Brown on June 13, 2000, defeating Brown in a ten round decision.

After one more non-title victory, Aboro made what has been, to date, her last fight. On November 24, 2001, she beat Nadia Debras with a ten round decision, to retain her world title for the third time.

In 2002, the Super Bantamweight hung up her gloves. Aboro is among a select few in history to retire at the top of their game as an undefeated boxing champion. She won Kickboxing World Champion five times, and was a two-time undefeated world boxing champion as well as two-time Kickboxing Champion. From 1999 to 2002, she was voted the best female boxer in the world.

In 2010, she established the Aboro Academy and Aboro Foundation with her partner, Yilan Yuen, in Shanghai China, where she now lives and trains future boxing champions.

As of 2019, Aboro is a resident of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

3. Henry Adetokunboh Akinwande

Henry Adetokunboh Akinwande, born 12 October 1965, is a British professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2008. He held the WBO heavyweight title from 1996 to 1997, as well as the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 1993, and the European heavyweight title from 1993 to 1994.

Henry Akinwande was born to Nigerian parents in London, England and started his career as an amateur boxer. He represented Great Britain in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea.

Akinwande made his professional debut in 1989 against Carlton Headley in London and impressively claimed victory in his first 18 bouts.

In 1996, the boxer faced American Jeremy Williams for the WBO World Heavyweight title which had been vacated by Riddick Bowe, a fight which Akinwande won through a 3rd round stoppage.

Akinwande went on to defend the belt twice, with victories over Russian Alexander Zolkin by Briton Scott Welch.

Akinwande won his next eight fights against Orlin Norris and Maurice Harris, as well as Peter McNeeley, Kenny Craven, Russel Chasteen, Reynaldo Minus, Chris Sirengoand Najee Shaheed.

In 2001, Henry Akinwande faced Oliver McCall in a much-publicised fight but after a promising start, the Nigerian-born boxer eventually lost.

Akinwande, never hiding his Nigerian heritage, brought one of his titles fights to Calabar in 2004, defeating South Africa’s Anton Nel through a 10th round technical knockout at the Esuene stadium. After that fight, he won another fight against Andriy Oleinyk in 2007 before losing to top prospect Ondřej Pála from the Czech Republic by unanimous decision on 4 July 2008, which turned out to be his last fight.

4. Lawrence Okolie

Lawrence Okolie is a very talented British professional boxer.

He has amassed fame through his brilliant boxing performances. He has managed to hold an amazing record with zero losses in his 15 professional matches to date. Due to his long reach and punching power, Okolie has managed to become the Commonwealth, British, and European cruiserweight titleholder, respectively, at a very young age.

Born on December 16, 1992, in Hackney, London, Lawrence is the son of Nigerian parents.

The now-professional boxer began his amateur career when Team GB selected him in their team for the 2016 Rio Olympics. In the tournament, he recorded his first win, which was against Poland’s Igor Pawel Jakubowski. Sadly, his run ended when he lost against Cuba’s Erislandy Savon.

In the next year, on January 18, 2017, Okolie made a huge decision and turned professional boxer, signing a deal with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Sport in the cruiserweight division. His first match took place on March 25, 2017, at the Manchester Arena against Geoffrey Cave. The match ended very quickly, with Okolie gaining the victory.

The first victory boosted the boxer’s motivation, and since then, he has never looked back and has continued to win all of the fights he has taken part in. In his total of 15 professional fights, Okolie has won only 3 by referee’s decision and 12 by knockouts.

His last match was against Nikodem Jezewski, which took place on December 12, 2020, in London, England. The match was ended by TKO, and Okolie successfully won the vacant WBO International cruiserweight title.

5. Anthony Joshua

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, born 15 October 1989, is a British professional boxer.

He is a two-time unified world heavyweight champion, having held the WBA, WBO, and IBO titles since December 2019, and previously between 2016 and June 2019. At regional level, he held the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles from 2015 to 2016.

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua was born on 15 October 1989 in Watford, Hertfordshire, to Nigerian parents, Yeta and Robert Joshua. Joshua’s Nigerian background can be specifically traced back to the Yoruba people, amongst whom he is of aristocratic rank. His cousin, Ben Ileyemi, is also a professional boxer. The pair made their professional debuts together in 2013.

Joshua spent some of his early years in Nigeria as a boarding school student at Mayflower School in Ikenne. Following his parents’ divorce when he was 12, he returned to the UK halfway through Year Seven to join Kings Langley Secondary School. Growing up on the Meriden Estate in Garston, Hertfordshire, he was called “Femi” by his friends and former teachers, due to his middle name, Oluwafemi. He excelled at football and athletics and broke his school’s Year Nine 100 m record with a time of 11.6 seconds.

His cousin, Ben Lleyemi, took him to the Finchley Amateur Boxing Club in Barnet. This proved to be a turning point as he soon began training as a boxer here.

Anthony Joshua won the Haringey Boxing Cup for two straight years in 2009 and 2010. His twenties were a roaring success as he won all 18 fights at the Amateur level. This included winning the Senior ABA Championships. He turned down the offer of £50,000 to turn professional.

In the European Amateur Boxing Championships in June 2011, he defeated Eric Berechlin and Chathal McMonagle. He was however interrupted by the Romanian Mihai Nistor.

He was part of the GB Boxing Team and soon won the GB Amateur Boxing Championships. His performance in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in 2011 earned him a spot at the 2012 Olympic Games.

He held an amateur record of 40 and was accorded the title of Amateur Boxer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Club of Great Britain in 2011.

Though a novice internationally, his first appearance at the London Olympics was sealed with a gold medal in 2012 when he defeated Italy’s Roberto Cammarelle in the super heavyweight division.

He made his professional debut under Matchroom Sport in October 2013. In the next three years, he remained undefeated in all his 19 fights. He earned his WBC International Heavyweight title when he was 24.

He went on to defeat Gary Cornish to win the Commonwealth heavyweight title in 2015. He later defended this title when he won, albeit with some hiccups, against Dillian Whyte.

He then defeated the IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin in 2016 to win his first world title. In order to defend this title, he fought against Dominic Breazeale and won.

In what became his second defense of his IBF title, he was up against Eric Molina in 2017. Joshua continued his winning streak and the average view of his matches kept increasing.

The coveted fight between him and Wladimir Klitschko was announced to take place on April 2017 at Wembley. They were to compete for the vacant WBA Super Heavyweight title. Joshua won this fight with dramatic aplomb in front of an audience of 90,000.

Joshua’s match with Klitschko was the most important fight he faced. Klitschko was a boxing royalty who had lost only 3 of his professional matches. His undefeated recorded in front of his home crowd was at stake for Joshua. The match went on to 11 rounds before Joshua won.

A rematch was expected between Klitschko and him, but Klitschko announced on 3 August 2017 that he would be retiring from boxing, thus ending the speculation of another match.

Anthony Joshua was next scheduled to fight Kubrat Pulev to defend his WBA title. However, Pulev was replaced by Carlos Takam due to injuries. This caused an uproar as over 70,000 tickets were already sold. However, fans thronged the stadium on the day of fight to witness Joshua successfully defend his title.

As of June 2021, Joshua is ranked as the world’s second-best active heavyweight by The Ring, Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and BoxRec, as well as the seventh-best active boxer, pound for pound, by BoxRec.

Entertainment

10 Nollywood Actresses That Married More Than One Husband

In this article I will be sharing with you 10 Nollywood actresses that married more than one husband. Even though there are plenty of famous couples who have made their love last, some Nollywood female celebrities are not so lucky with relationships. But you have to hand it to the celebrities who keep going back to the altar for not giving up on love. Here are the lists of top Nollywood actresses who have been married to more than one husband.

1. Funke Akindele

Popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele also known as “Jenifa” is one of Nollywood celebrities who have been to more than one husband. In May 2012, Funke Akindele married Adeola Kehinde Oloyede. Barely a year after they wedded, the marriage crashed and the couple divorced in July 2013. Funke Akindele later got married again to Nigerian rapper Abdul Rasheed Bello, also known as JJC Skillz in London on May 2016 exactly four years after her first marriage. The couple is now blessed with twins’ kids.

2. Monalisa Chinda

Beautiful Nollywood actress Monalisa Chinda has been married to more than one husband. The actress, film producer, television personality and media personality’s first marriage was to Mr. Dejo Richards. The marriage did not stand the test of time as it collapsed sooner than expected. The couple parted ways in 2009 after they had a daughter together. She later married Victor Tonye Coker in 2016 and they have been together till date.

3. Mercy Aigbe

Beautiful Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe has been married to more than one husband. The beautiful actress who is popular for her fashion sense on social media, was a wife to an Igbo man and had a beautiful daughter for him but the union couldn’t stand the test of time as it crashed a few years later. Mercy Aigbe later met with Lanre Gentry and they officially tied the knots at the Ikoyi Registry in 2013, but unfortunately, the marriage also crashed in 2017.

4. Clarion Chukwura

Nollywood beautiful actress Clarion Chukwura tied the knots with her U.S. based fiancé, Anthony Boyd making it her third marriage. She once had a relationship with Afro-Juju legend, Sir Shina Peters and bore a son for him, named Clarence Peters. Her first marriage was to Tunde Abiola. She later ended her first marriage to Tunde Abiola in 2003. She then remarried again in 2004 to Femi Oduneye popularly known as Femi Egyptian. They however, separated in 2006, after which they got back together again before they finally got divorced.

5. Bukky Wright

Nollywood beautiful actress Bukky Wright had previously been married to Gboyega Amu, who is the father of her two sons. Shortly after separating from Gboyega Amu, due to what she termed irreconcilable differences, she moved into the arms of fellow actor and one time NNPC staff and current member of the House of Representatives, Rotimi Makinde, without officially divorcing Gboyega Amu. The union lasted a few years before she moved on in the same fashion and found solace in the arms of society journalist and image-maker, Femi Davies. Bukky Wright and Femi Davies got married at the Akodo Registry in Lagos.

6. Toyin Abraham

Beautiful Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has been married to more than one husband. The talented Nollywood actress, producer and director got married to Nollywood actor Adeniji Johnson in 2013. The union appeared so sweet on social media as the couple never ceased to gush about each other. Surprisingly, in 2015, news went round that the celebrity couples were having it hot as they announced their separation. It is however interesting to know that the couple has moved on with their lives as Toyin Abraham recently welcomed a baby boy with another Nollywood actor named Kolawole Ajeyemi. They had been secretive about their relationship until recently when a wedding photo with her new husband hit social media.

7. Stella Damasus

Nollywood beautiful actress Stella Damasus has been married three times and involved in various affairs. Stella Damasus married her first husband, Jaiye Aboderin in 1999. The marriage was blessed with two beautiful daughters before her husband Jaiye Aboderin suddenly died in 2004. Stella Damasus re-married again in 2007, this time to Emeka Nzeribe. The marriage lasted for seven months before a mutual agreement to divorce. In 2011, she became associated with multiple award-winning Nollywood film producer and director Daniel Ademinokan. The couple has been together ever since. Their relationship sparked a lot of controversies all over Nigeria and Africa because both parties never publicly admitted to be dating, engaged or even married until 2014.

8. Foluke Daramola

Entertainment

Meet The Four Children of Nollywood Actor, Femi Adebayo (photos)

Femi Adebayo is a popular Nigerian lawyer, actor and producer who has been acting for two decades. Adebayo is happily married and blessed with four children.

Femi Adebayo was born on the 31st of December, 1978. He is the son of Popular Yoruba actor, Adebayo Salami.

In 2011, Femi Adebayo first marriage crashed following the wife’s displeasure with his profession and some allegations back then that she is having an affair with a co-actress, Funke Akindele. The duo seperated atfter havng 3 kids, a girl and two boys (twin).

In 2016, Femi Adebayo remarried Omotayo Maimunat Sanusi. Their Union had since been blessed with one son.

They are Firdaus Niniola Adebayo, Fadlulrahman Adebayo, Fadlullah Adebayo, and Fadhil Olarenwaju Adebayo.

1. Firdaus Niniola Adebayo

Happy 17th Birthday to your daughter Femi Adebayo - Nigerian Celebrities Birthdays

Firdaus Niniola Adebayo is the firstborn and first daughter of Nollywood actor, Femi Adebayo. She celebrates her birthday on the 15th of July.

2. Twins, Fadlulrahman and Fadlullah Adebayo

See Lovely Photos Of Actor Femi Adebayo's Twin Sons Fadlullah and Fadlulrahman Adebayo (PICS) - Madailygist

Fadlulrahman and Fadlullah Adebayo are the twin of Femi Adebayo. They celebrate their birthday on the 30th of July every year. They are the children of the ex-wife of the actor.

4. Fadhil Aridunnu Olarenwaju Adebayo

Fadhil Aridunnu Olarenwaju Adebayo is presently the fifth and the last born of Nollywood actor, Femi ADebayo. He was on the 21st of December, 2018.

Entertainment

15 Nigerian Stars Who Died Before The Age Of 40 – See Photos

Beloved celebrities who went too soon. Death is never an easy one to digest. It is very hard to accept, very hard to believe, and very hard to let go of.

When we met our favorite celebrities through which ever means we meet them for the first time, maybe TV, our phone, or wherever, we develop a connection to them. To the characters they play, the music they make, the art they give to the world. We grow to follow them and know a lot about them.

So when life takes them away especially at such young ages, we are left devastated wondering all that their lives and careers could have been.

Today, I’m counting down 15 Nigerian Celebrities who tragically died before the age of 40.

1. Bisi Komolafe

Fast-rising Nollywood actress, Bisi Komolafe, died on December 31, 2012 at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan as a result of pregnancy-related complications. The beautiful actress was only 27 at the time of her unfortunate demise.

She was later buried on January 4, 2013 in Ibadan.

2. Clems Onyeka

Nollywood actor Clems Onyeka was shot and killed in October 14, 2014 when he got caught in a crossfire between the police and armed robbers in Asaba, Delta State.

The 37-year-old actor was shot along Summit Express, Asaba, Delta State while the police and armed robbers who were attempting to hijack a bullion van engaged in a fiery gunfight.

Clems Onyeka died on the spot. He was returning from the set of a movie.

3. Muna Obiekwe

Beloved and renowned Nollywood actor, Muna Obiekwe, was a household name in Nigeria until he tragically died on Sunday, January 18, 2015 after a long battle with kidney disease.

The amazing actor was only 36 years old when he passed away.

4. Okwy Chukwujekwu

27 year old up and coming actor, Okwy Chukwujekwu, popularly known as ‘Main Boss Man’ suddenly slumped during the shooting of a movie on Tuesday, September 5th, 2017.

The autopsy result revealed that an asthmatic attack was the cause of his death. The actor was buried October 5th 2017 at his hometown Otolo Nnewi, Anambra state.

5. Goldie

Nigerian singer and Big Brother Africa star Susan Oluwabimpe “Goldie” Filani Harvey had a fast-rising career and had established herself as one of the major female artistes in Nigeria before her unfortunate death on 14 February 2013.

Goldie died after returning home to Nigeria from the 2013 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, USA. She complained of a headache and was rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

According to the autopsy conducted by the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Goldie died of ‘hypertensive heart disease,’ which triggered an “intracerebellar hemorrhage.”

She was buried at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, Lagos on the 25th of February, 2013. She died at the young age of 31.

6. Zara Gretti

Popular Nigerian singer, Zara Gretti died on March 28, 2014 after a battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Born Margret Oluwatoyin Ejiro Joseph, the beautiful singer died at the young age of 28.

7. Tosyn Bucknor

Nigerian media personality Oluwatosin Tosyn Bucknor died on November 19, 2018 due to complications from sickle cell.

The beloved OAP was found dead by her husband, Aurelien Boyer, when he arrived home from work on 19 November 2018.

Tosyn was born with sickle cell anaemia and died at the young age of 37 years.

8. DaGrin

DaGrin was a Nigerian rapper from Ogun State. He died at the age of 25 on April 22nd, 2010 after he was involved in a ghastly motor accident which happened in the early hours of April 14, 2010. HIs car collided with a stationary trailer in front of Alakara Police Station in Mushin, Lagos. He survived a serious head injury as a result of the crash, but eight days after the accident after being admitted in the hospital and being operated on over, the rapper passed away.

9. Nelson Gold

Nelson Gold was a budding Nollywood actor with a promising future ahead of him.

According to reports, the fast-rising actor and graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, slumped at a movie location in Enugu and was rushed to the hospital where he remained in a coma until he passed on 15th June 2018.

He died only ten days after celebrating his birthday.

10. Kefee

Top Nigerian gospel singer, Kefee Obareki died of lung failure in a Los Angeles hospital on Thursday, June 12, 2014 after being in a coma for 15 days.

The beloved singer died at the age of 34 and was buried amidst tears on Friday July 11, 2014 in her hometown of Okpara Inland, Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria.

11. MC Loph

MC Loph’s career was on the up and up. His songs were quickly turning into fan favorites across the country. But on September 14, 2011, after being involved in a car accident on Benin-Ore expressway, MC Loph died. He was only 33 at the time of his death.

12. Olamide David

Olamide David was a Nigerian male child actor best known for playing the lead role in a movie called “Cobweb”. He died at the age of 14 on January 18, 2016 after he was mistakenly kicked in the stomach by another player while playing football. He fell to the ground and complained of pains. They rushed him to the hospital where he died a few hours later.

13. Fada U-Turn

One of Nigeria’s most popular 90s musicians Olufemi Mayomi, a.k.a Fada U-Turn, tragically died on Sunday, November 17, 2013 due to a kidney related disease. The singer was only 36 years old as at the time of his death.

14. Ireti

Adebimpe Adekola popularly known as ‘Ireti’ was a popular 90s actress who was a leading woman in the Yoruba sector of the Nigerian movie industry.

The actress tragically died on Friday, September 27, 2002 after a brief illness due to some complications suspected to be from typhoid fever.

She was in her early 30s.

15. Alizee

Nigerian singer, Zainab Nielsen popularly known as Alizee was murdered on April 5, 2018 by her Danish husband, Peter Nielsen, in their residence at Bellasta Towers, Banana Island, Ikoyi. She was murdered along with their three-year-old daughter, Petra.

According to reports, Peter hit his wife’s head severally on the wall causing her to die, before proceeded to poison his daughter. He then went on to drag his wife and daughter’s lifeless bodies to the kitchen close to the gas to create the illusion that the two women suffocated to death as a result of a gas leakage.

The husband, 53 year old Peter Nielsen, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him and was remanded in Ikoyi Prisons on the orders of a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court.

Zainab was only 37 years old when she died. Her daughter was only 3.