Boxing News of Wednesday, 13 April 2005

Source: GNA

Owie predicts knockout victory over Adama

Accra, April 13, GNA - Patrick Owie, the man mountain Nigerian heavyweight boxer who is billed to meet Ghana's Adama Mensah in his comeback fight on April 29 has predicted a knockout victory over the former African champion.

In a telephone conversation from his Lagos base on Wednesday morning, the huge Nigerian said he would use the fight to enrich his profile, as a victory over Adama would open doors for him to chase bigger opportunities as a boxer.

He said in as much as he would like to entertain the fans with his ring craft, the rustiness in Adama would not allow the fight to go beyond four rounds.

"It will be my first time of fighting in Ghana and as a matter of fact, I would have liked to entertain the fans, but the old man cannot have the power to stand against me for more than four rounds, Owie said."

The Nigerian boxer asked Adama not to allow his wife and children to attend the fight because they would weep and curse their stars when they see him being beaten mercilessly.

He said instead of Adama returning into the ring, it would have been better for him to turn a coach and teach young boxers the rudiments of the trade, adding that boxing is for young boys and not for old men. The two boxers are scheduled to fight on the maiden bill of Sole Mio (My Sunshine) Promotions Syndicate, at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex.

Sole Mio is under the chairmanship of Mr Eddie Blay, chairman of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association.

It will be Adama's first fight in 10 years after a blissful career that saw him climb to the top of the African heavyweight category with 25 wins, most of them via the short route, as against three losses. As an amateur, Adama won gold medals at the All Africa Games and the World Military Games and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.