Veteran Nigerian boxer Olanrewaju “God’s Power” Durodola once again proved that age is no barrier to excellence after producing a devastating first-round knockout victory over compatriot Sadiq Akano at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. The impressive triumph marked the 45th knockout victory of Durodola’s distinguished professional career, reaffirming his reputation as one of Africa’s most feared punchers and reigniting discussions about another shot at a world title.
The bout, which headlined another exciting edition of the Prizefighting.tv Boxing Classic at the National Stadium’s Indoor Sports Hall, attracted boxing enthusiasts eager to witness one of Nigeria’s most accomplished fighters return to the ring. They were not disappointed, as Durodola wasted little time in demonstrating why he remains a formidable force in the cruiserweight division.
From the opening bell, the experienced boxer took control of the contest. Using his trademark aggression, ring intelligence and powerful combinations, Durodola pressured Akano relentlessly, denying his opponent any opportunity to settle into the fight. His calculated attacks soon paid off when he landed a crushing combination that sent Akano crashing to the canvas.
Although Akano attempted to recover, referee Moruf Akanbi quickly realised the challenger was unable to continue safely and stopped the contest before the end of the opening round. The victory improved Durodola’s professional record to an impressive 50 wins from 51 victories, with 45 of those triumphs coming by knockout, a remarkable statistic that highlights his exceptional punching power throughout his career.
The emphatic win was another statement from the 45-year-old boxer, who has repeatedly insisted that he still possesses the quality and determination required to compete with the world’s best cruiserweights. Despite spending more than a decade in professional boxing, Durodola continues to maintain impressive physical condition and remains determined to secure another opportunity on the global stage.
His latest success also reinforced his credentials as one of Nigeria’s finest professional boxers of the modern era. Since turning professional after representing Nigeria at the amateur level, Durodola has built an international reputation through memorable victories both at home and abroad.
Born in Abuja, Durodola first attracted national attention during his amateur career, representing Nigeria at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and competing at several international championships. Those experiences laid the foundation for a professional journey that has taken him across Africa, Europe, North America and Australia in pursuit of championship honours.
Perhaps the defining moment of his career came in November 2015 when he stunned the boxing world by defeating previously unbeaten Russian powerhouse Dmitry Kudryashov in Russia to claim the WBC Silver Cruiserweight title. The dramatic upset established Durodola as one of the division’s elite competitors and earned him widespread international recognition.
Over the years, he has shared the ring with several highly ranked opponents, including Mairis Briedis, Krzysztof Włodarczyk, Richard Riakporhe and Michal Cieślak. Although he suffered defeats in some of those contests, Durodola consistently earned praise for his courage and willingness to face elite competition rather than carefully selecting easier opponents.
His latest performance against Akano suggests there is still plenty left in the tank. Throughout the fight, his movement appeared sharp, his timing remained accurate and his punching power was every bit as destructive as fans have come to expect.
Beyond the main event, the Prizefighting.tv Boxing Classic delivered an entertaining night of action featuring 11 additional contests across multiple weight divisions. Several young Nigerian boxers seized the opportunity to showcase their abilities before an enthusiastic crowd, underlining the growing depth of talent within the country’s boxing scene.
One of the standout contests saw Opeyemi Ibrahim edge Abiodun Muyideen by unanimous decision after an action-packed super bantamweight encounter that many spectators described as the fight of the night. Elsewhere, Saheed Abdullahi secured a fourth-round technical knockout victory over Wasiu Jimoh, while Ganiu Olaitan earned a technical knockout after Walter Sunday was unable to continue because of a nose injury.
Samuel Elegbede also impressed with a unanimous decision victory over Sadiq Popoola, while heavyweight fighters Ezekiel Igbozurike and Sunday Abudu battled to a draw. Samson Kazeem rounded off the evening with a third-round technical knockout of Anselme Gnansingbe, ensuring fans enjoyed an action-filled programme from start to finish.
Away from the action inside the ring, the organisers demonstrated boxing’s compassionate side by supporting fellow fighter Kabiru “KB” Towolawi, whose wife, Folashade, is currently battling cancer. Prizefighting.tv presented a donation of ₦1 million to assist the family with mounting medical expenses, a gesture warmly received by members of Nigeria’s boxing community.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, spokesman Miyen Akiri explained that the donation reflected the promotion’s commitment to standing by athletes during difficult moments.
The gesture received widespread praise from boxers, officials and fans, highlighting the sense of unity that exists within Nigeria’s combat sports community.
For Durodola, however, the evening belonged to another memorable victory. His dominant display served as a reminder that experience, discipline and determination remain invaluable qualities in professional boxing. While many fighters begin contemplating retirement in their mid-40s, the veteran continues to pursue bigger goals with unwavering confidence.
His ambition remains clear. Durodola wants another opportunity to compete for a major world championship before eventually bringing an end to a career that has already inspired countless young Nigerian boxers.
With 45 knockout victories now to his name and another commanding performance added to his résumé, “God’s Power” has once again shown that he remains one of Africa’s most dangerous cruiserweights. If he continues producing displays of this quality, another high-profile international opportunity may not be far away.
