Boxing return thrills Apochi
Nigerian cruiserweight boxer Efetobor Apochi has expressed satisfaction with his return to the ring following his ninth-round technical knockout victory over Dionardo Minor at Hilton Tampa Downtown in the USA, NewsNGR Sports Extra reports.
The 37-year-old, who recently signed with Christy Martin Promotions, took to social media on Monday to reflect on his comeback fight, sharing videos of his dominant performance.
“If that’s what ring rust is, I’ll take it, because it feels damn good to be back! Stepped in, stopped a guy who’s never been stopped (For the test, of course), and guess what? Still feels good to be back. Alignment first, action second, results inevitable TKO victory,” Apochi wrote.
The fight marked a successful return for the power puncher, who became the first boxer to stop Minor, demonstrating that his renowned knockout power remains intact despite his recent career setbacks.
Apochi, who boasts an impressive professional record of 12-3 with all his victories coming by knockout, joined Christy Martin Promotions last month in a move he described as “right on time” for his career resurgence.
“My spirit has never been broken. Even though I’ve had some tough fights, they have only sharpened my craft. Christy Martin Promotions has given me such an opportunity to make a comeback. I’d like to fight in a world title eliminator with the WBC as soon as possible, and before the year ends, fight for the title,” he said after signing with the promotion.
Growing up in Ughelli, Nigeria, Apochi took an unconventional path to boxing, studying microbiology at the Federal University of Technology Owerri before starting his boxing career at the age of 21. According to reports, he was involved in over 700 street fights, mostly during his high school years, before channelling his fighting spirit into the ring.
As an amateur, Apochi made his mark on the international scene at the 2011 All-Africa Games, where he surprised the boxing world by claiming silver. He later captained the Nigerian Boxing Team at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where he upset current IBF and Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion Jai Opetaia in the quarterfinals before finishing his amateur career with an impressive record of approximately 64-8.
