FAWAZ Aborode could be representing two countries at next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow!
Aborode heads to Nigeria this month for their national championship, only weeks after securing a third successive Scottish Elite title.
The light-welterweight champion from Byron ABC explained to Boxing News: “I came here from Nigeria with my family when I was seven years old.
“But I don’t have a British passport.
“The plan is to join the Nigerian team. I need to go in the Nigerian nationals, win them and get in the Nigerian team so I can go to all the big tournaments.
“The main goal is next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. I’m focusing on that and the World Championships in Liverpool in September.”
The 22-year-old has already competed in the World and European Championships.
He was only 19 when he represented the Fair Chance Team at the 2021 World Championship in Serbia, where he ran into seasoned Tokyo Olympian Samuel Kistohurry (France) in his second bout and was unanimously outpointed.
His points win over Anthony Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago) in his opening contest at the World Championship was Aborode’s first senior bout.
COVID had kept Aborode out of the ring for two years.
“There were no national championships because it was during COVID,” he said, “so we had assessments instead to decide who went.
“We were sparring three, three-minute rounds, but it was like a fight.”
Aborode did enough to get picked at 57 kgs and last year boxed in both the European Senior and European Under-23 Championships.
He also captured the Tri Nations Championship last year.
In Scotland, Aborode has proved to be untouchable over the last few years.
His latest domestic success came at the Elite finals in March where he outpointed European Youth representative Leo Church to retain the 63.5 kgs title.
“I started boxing when I was 14,” he said. “I wanted to get better fitness for playing football. I played for my school and a local club.
“I saw a video of AJ (Anthony Joshua) and that inspired me. I knew he was from Nigeria as well.
“I gave it a shot and fell in love with it. The coaches treat me like their family.
“I made my debut after around six or seven months in the gym and by first-round stoppage.”
The record is now 32-12 with his latest win coming on Byron ABC’s show at the Maryculter House Hotel.
He was matched with Callum Smith (Lochend) in a repeat of the Scottish Elite quarter finals and the result was the same, Aborode winning unanimously.
Aborode told ‘Boxing News’ he switched tactics in the rematch.
“I boxed him more the first time,” he said, “and the second time I put the pressure on a bit more.”
Smith put a lot into the in the rematch without making much impression on Aborode.
Smith came out at the opening bell firing fast twos and threes, but struggled to land anything clean.
Aborode kept his guard tight and was precise with single left hook counters, to body and head.
In the final minute of the opener, Aborode pushed Smith back to the ropes for a spell and fired off combinations to body and head.
Aborode showed his versatility – and put on a show for his home crowd – in the second round when he stood off, dropped his hands, slipped and countered with single pot shots.
He had the crowd cheering in a more competitive last when he closed the gap, pushed Smith back and fired off a rat-a-tat combination of body punches.
Smith sank in some thumping body shots of his own in the final three minutes, but Aborode didn’t slow and kept finding the gaps with his own punches.
“I’m a mid and short-range boxer,” said Aborode. “I can adapt and box on the back foot, but I’m more of a pressure fighter. I like to come forward, block and counter.”
That style, says Aborode, is well suited to professional boxing.
That is where he sees his future and he proves himself over five, three minute rounds last January in Boxing Scotland’s Gold Series event in Glasgow.
Fawaz came in at short notice to face Nightmare southpaw Matthew McDonald – the 2022 Scottish welterweight champion – at a catchweight of 65 kgs and beat him on points.
“I found it comfortable,” said Fawaz of competing over the longer distance.
Fawaz says he has benefited from sparring clubmate Sonny Kerr, now up at 70kgs and part of the Great Britain squad.
Kerr’s father, Kenny, and grandfather, Tony, are Fawaz’s coaches at the Aberdeen gym, along with Niall Munroe and James Jamieson.
“I have great spars with Sonny,” said Aborode. “We really push each other on. There are other really good guys coming through at the gym as well. I’m always improving.”
