WITH Saturday’s vacant Commonwealth title fight between Leedsโ Bob Ajisafe and Daniel Wanyonyi falling through, after the Kenyan had visa problems, Hosea Burton was offered the chance to step in as a late replacement.
But Ajisafe, who will still appear on the April 11 bill in Leeds, took to Twitter to point out he didnโt want a change of opponent at such short notice for the title fight. That show has also seen Chris Jenkins forced to withdraw from his British light-welterweight title fight through illness.
Burton, who boxed in a four-rounder the previous weekend, could only lament missing a breakthrough opportunity. โIโd love to fight him for that,โ Burton said. โNot many people really want to box me. I was a decent amateur and I am a decent pro.โ
Hosea continued, โIโm trying to make a show. Josh Warringtonโs your main event, Bob Ajisafe chief support. Iโm trying to make a show.
โHeโs got nothing to lose, heโs a Commonwealth title to gain by fighting meโฆ Iโm so disappointed because this would have been one of those upset fights where people didnโt expect me to win because I havenโt done the distance before, I havenโt boxed big names before.
โThere are people I donโt want to fight, Callum Johnson, a stablemate, Travis Dickinson, Iโve known him all my life, heโs been a friend all my life since being three or four years old Iโve known Travis. Other than that Iโd love to fight anybody there, any light-heavyweight that wants to put a pair of gloves on with me, theyโre more than welcome, I will accommodate anybody. Iโm just disappointed heโs turned it down.
โIโve done one eight rounder before, against a mediocre Frenchmanโฆ He should be rubbing his hands together thinking, โYes, Iโve got Hosea Burton. He hasnโt done much, he hasnโt proved himself, heโs not this, heโs not that.โ
โBut I think this has opened doors for me now, seeing as Iโve took the fight and Iโve said yes to it. People in boxing should be saying, โHeโs tried to save the show, heโs shown that he will fight, letโs get him a fight.โ Iโm ready for titles now.โ
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