Middleweight Osumanu Adama (18-2, 14 KOs) won a twelve round unanimous decision over local favorite Angel “Toro” Hernandez (30-9, 17 KOs) to claim the vacant IBO International title on Friday night at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago. Adama, a 2000 Ghana Olympian, won by near shutout scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109.
The first time Adama fought at the UIC Pavilion for 8 Count Promotion’s “Windy City Fight Night” cards, it was a fight of the year candidate that went unnoticed by the general public. The unknown Ghana fighter was brought in to make Donovan George, Chicago’s most promising prospect at the time, to look impressive in a Shobox appearance. Instead, Adama went back and forth with George in an exciting war where he got the short end of the stick..
When the Ghanaian made his second appearance to the Chicago crowd on December 17, 2010, he made a hell of a return. Fighting another Chicago hometown fighter, Osumanu Adama completely outpunched, out landed, and outclassed the long time veteran Angel Hernandez(30-9, 17 KOs). Scores were 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109.
The fight‘s first few rounds set the pace of the whole fight. Hernandez started the round aggressive, trying to cut the ring off. The much taller Adama would establish his long jab that would make his Ghana countrymen such as Ike Quartey proud. Adama followed his jab with a variety of punches. Either following the jab up with a beautiful straight right hand, going to the body then the head, or throwing multiple flurries, Adama was in complete control.
By the middle rounds the battle worn Hernandez started to look discouraged. His constant plan of coming forward was not working and all his experience could not stop the more talented fighter. In round eight, Hernandez was able to back Adama in the corner that got loud cheers from the Chicago crowd. Besides that moment, Adama did what he wanted.
Osumanu Adama closed the show just as strong as he began it. At the end of the night, he pitched a shutout and a boxing performance that even the ringside writers that were familiar with Adama didn’t see coming. His boxing skills were highly impressive as he captured the fringe IBO title belt. With 2010 about to end, the future for Osumanu Adama is just beginning.
