ON this day in 1988, IBF #3 super-lightweight John Wesley Meekins collided with Uganda’s Mohammed Kawoya and although the hot favourite got the stoppage win that was expected of him, he was not able to celebrate it properly.
Meekins, 24-5-2 (17 KOs), had twice fallen short when challenging for the NABF super-lightweight title, as a clash of heads rendered his first clash with Harold Brazier a two-round technical draw. Meekins lost the rematch the following year.
Although Meekins would then string together five victories to thrust himself into world title contention, the skilful New Yorker opted to prepare for a title shot with an outing against the lesser-known Kawoya, 11-4 (5 KOs), who had lost his two prior bouts via stoppage.
Light on his feet, well-schooled Meekins was visibly the more talented of the two. He looked to be on his way to a routine victory when he dropped Kawoya with a speedy yet spiteful left hook with a minute to spare in the second round.
Meekins pushed for the early knockout and staggered the Ugandan once more, with Kawoya, brother of former WBA super-welterweight world champion Ayub Kalule, fortunate to survive until the end of the round.
Yet, early in the third, a well-recovered Kawoya was able to shockingly knock the American down with a short right-hand out of his southpaw stance that caught Meekins off guard.
Embarrassed by that mishap, Meekins came roaring back and soon floored Kawoya for a second time with a vicious right-hand that left the visitor clearly dazed. Still, the underdog bounced back to his feet and was permitted to continue by referee Paul Venti.
Unsteady on his legs, Kawoya rocked back onto the ropes whilst Meekins searched for the showstopper. Mr Venti did not wish to see such a concussive ending, stepping in to call the contest off and supposedly do Kawoya a favour.
However, Venti’s decision would instead rob Kawoya of his career highlight, as he simultaneously landed a right-hand that sent Meekins to the canvas, rendering him unable to continue.
Kawoya celebrated what he believed to be an almighty upset. It was not to be, and soon became clear to him that it was Meekins who had been awarded the technical knockout win. Venti’s intervention came a split second before Kawoya’s devastating shot.
A sheepish Meekins was reluctant to celebrate, whilst Kawoya understandably fumed in the post-fight interview. All appeared to be resolved when the latter was rewarded with a rematch two months later.
Unfortunately, Kawoya would then pull out of their planned second encounter, citing a throat infection, with Meekins instead proceeding to take on Saoul Mamby, whom he defeated by majority decision.
Meekins then got his shot at Meldrick Taylor and the IBF super-lightweight crown, but retired after being on the wrong side of a one-sided beatdown after seven rounds. Kawoya never did return to the ring, deciding to work in a New York pet shop instead.
