ANOTHER NIGERIA BOXER PUMMELLED
By Kunle Solaja, Reporting from China

What could have been a befitting birthday to his compatriot and fellow boxer turned a nightmare for Olanrewaju Durodola, who was heavily punched by Cuba’s Acosta Duarte Osmai in the heavyweight category of boxing on Wednesday at the Workers Stadium’s Gymnasium.

On a day boxer Olawale Lawal turned 25, his compatriot lost 11–0 point decision to Acosta Duarte Osmai of Cuba in the 91kg weight category. Olanrewaju, who had two years ago deplored the lack of support that Nigerian boxers receive from the government and corporate sponsors, proved a mismatch to the Cuban.

IOC news quoted him to have said that with a little support, he and some other boxers from Nigeria had the potential to become world champions.

"I know that I have the skill to become world champion", he was quoted to have said. But in the bout with the Cuban, whose natives are traditionally feared in the Olympics, all the five judges unanimously awarded every of the first three rounds to Acosta.
The Cuban got the first and the third rounds 4-0 and the second 3-0 while the last ended 0-0 with no point awarded.

The Cuban, who is five years younger than the Nigerian will now face Ilias Pavlids of Greece in the quarter finals on Sunday.