Azeez Lateef is the new West Africa Boxing Union super featherweight champion, following his emphatic victory over Fatai “Prince” Nurudeen via a fourth-round technical knockout in the title fight at White Royal Hotel, Igando, Lagos, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Lateef took control of the fight early on, landing powerful combinations that eventually overwhelmed Nurudeen. The referee was forced to step in the fourth round, declaring Lateef the winner and awarding him the vacant WABU super featherweight title.
After the fight, an elated Lateef expressed his readiness to defend his newly-won belt against any challenger in the super-featherweight division.
“I’ve been preparing for this moment my entire career, and now that I have the title, I’m ready to defend it against anyone. This is just the beginning for me,” Lateef said.The bout, which headlined a night of boxing actions, was sanctioned by the West African Boxing Union and the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, continuing the trend of exciting title contests in Nigerian boxing.
WABU President Remi Aboderin praised the quality of the fight, saying, “We witnessed a true championship performance from Lateef tonight. His determination and skill were on full display, and this is the kind of fight that elevates the sport in West Africa.”
NBBofC Chairman Rafiu Oladipo echoed similar sentiments, describing the bout as a good showcase of Nigerian boxing.
“This fight was not just about winning a title but also about showing the level of talent we have in this country. Lateef has proven that he is a worthy champion, and I look forward to seeing him defend this belt in the future,” Oladipo said.
Lateef’s victory came after a series of thrilling undercard fights that captivated the fans in attendance.The Total Destruction event earlier this year had also featured Lateef in a super featherweight contest that ended in a draw, but his performance on Sunday left no doubt about his dominance in the ring.As the new WABU super-featherweight champion, Lateef has now solidified his position among the top boxers in the region, with the boxing community eagerly awaiting his first title defence.