Raphael Akpejiori

Last updated
Raphael Akpejiori
Raphael Akpejiori.jpg
Born
Ethasor Raphael Akpejiori

(1990-10-10) 10 October 1990 (age 34)
Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Reach85 in (216 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record [1]
Total fights20
Wins18
Wins by KO17
Losses2

Raphael Akpejiori is a Nigerian professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division.

Contents

Early life

Raphael Akpejiori born on 10 October 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria to Pius and Clara Akpejiori, and grew up in the Surulere area of the city. [2] [3] He was raised alongside his five siblings: Okhiaofe, Ilamosi, Eshemokha, Ideoghena, and Eboshogwe. [4] Growing up in a vibrant and supportive family, Raphael Akpejiori developed a passion for sports and education. His father, Pius, was a player for New Nigeria Bank Football Club, and his mother a track and field sprinter competing for Edo State. In 2008, at the age of 17, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, on a basketball scholarship, where he attended Sunrise Christian Academy. Two years later, in 2010, he was recruited by the University of Miami, where he played as a forward for the university's basketball team for four seasons. During his graduate studies, he transitioned to American football in 2014 and earned an invitation to the Miami Dolphins' training camp in 2015. [5] [6] Akpejiori holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mechanical engineering, showcasing his dedication to academics alongside his athletic career. Known for his athletic prowess and academic achievements, Akpejiori has successfully balanced his sporting career with a strong background in engineering. [7]

Amateur career

Akpejiori had a brief amateur career, compiling a record of 13–1 (10 KOs). [7] He was invited by the Nigerian Boxing Federation to compete for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 as a super-heavyweight. [8]

Professional career

Trained by former world champion Glen Johnson, [9] Akpejiori signed with CES Boxing and made his professional debut on 14 September 2018, scoring a first-round technical knockout (TKO) victory over Omar Acosta at the Twin River Event Center in Lincoln, Rhode Island. [10] Following another first-round TKO win over James Advincola in November, [11] Akpejiori scored three more first-round stoppage wins in 2019; a knockout (KO) over Leo Cassiani in June; [12] and TKOs over Johan Lopez in July [13] and Jose Pulido in August. [14] Akpejiori's first fight of 2020 was a second-round TKO win against Mike Ford in January. [15] .Akpejiori faced Gary Kelly in his seventh professional fight on August 22, 2020, which he won by a second-round technical knockout. On November 7, 2020, Akpejiori beat Jared Torgeson by a second-round technical knockout. Akpejiori was scheduled to face Joshua Tuani On January 23, 2021 and won his first fight of 2021 by a first round knockout. Akpejiori then improved to 10-0 after beating Curtis Head on April 21, 2021 and once again won by a first-round knockout.

Akpejiori beat Brandon Spencer by a second-round technical knockout on June 11, 2021. Akpejiori then faced Steven Lyons on July 10, 2021, and won by a first-round technical knockout. On November 6, 2021, he faced Satander Silgado Gelez and won by a first-round technical knockout. On June 11, 2022, Akpejiori faced Terrell Jamal Woods. it was the first time in this career the Nigerian fought past the second-round, winning by unanimous decision. On January 21, 2021, Akpejiori faced Dell Long and won by another first-round knockout.

Akpejiori was scheduled to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov at in Toledo, Ohio on July 1, 2023 for the WBC-NABF heavyweight title. Akpejiori lost the fight by TKO in the second round.

Professional boxing record

19 fights18 wins1 loss
By knockout171
By decision10
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
19Win18-1Alexis GarciaTKO6 (10), 3:0028 Jun 2024Pabellon de Esgrima, Centro Olimpico, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
18Win17-1Santander Silgado GelezTKO1 (6), 2:591 Mar 2024Ronald Reagan Equestrian Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
17Win16-1Francisco Silvens MateoKO1 (10), 2:199 Feb 2024Coco Locos Restaurant Sports Bar, Sosua, Dominican Republic
16Loss15–1 Arslanbek Makhmudov TKO2 (10), 1:431 Jul 2023 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.For WBC-NABF heavyweight title
15Win15–0Dell LongTKO1 (8), 1:4821 Jan 2023Calta’s Fitness & Boxing, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
14Win14–0Terrell Jamal WoodsUD811 Jun 2022 Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
13Win13–0Santander SilgadoTKO1 (8), 1:306 Nov 2021Miami Airport Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
12Win12–0Steven LyonsTKO1 (8), 2:5910 Jul 2021Miami Airport Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
11Win11–0Brandon SpencerTKO2 (8), 1:4211 Jun 2021Avanti Palms Resort, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
10Win10–0Curtis HeadTKO1 (6), 2:2124 Apr 20211500 Grand Central Ave, Vienna, West Virginia, U.S.
9Win9–0Joshua TuaniKO1 (6), 2:4623 Jan 2021Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, Miramar, Florida, U.S.
8Win8–0Jared TorgesonTKO2 (6), 1:367 Nov 2020Bonita Springs Elks Lodge, Bonita Springs, Florida, U.S.
7Win7–0Gary KellyTKO2 (6), 2:0222 Aug 2020Bonita Springs Elks Lodge, Bonita Springs, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0Mike FordTKO2 (6), 0:4717 Jan 2020 Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S.
5Win5–0Jose PulidoTKO2 (6), 1:4017 Aug 2019Plaza Principal de Pacho, Pacho, Colombia
4Win4–0Johan LopezTKO1 (4), 2:5926 Jul 2019 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0Leo CassianiKO1 (4), 2:4515 Jun 2019Parque Central, Tolú, Colombia
2Win2–0James AdvincolaTKO1 (4), 0:4921 Nov 2018 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
1Win1–0Omar AcostaTKO1 (4), 0:5914 Sep 2018 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.

Personal life

In November 2023, Akpejiori married basketball player and NBA analyst Chiney Ogwumike. [16]

References

  1. ↑ "Boxing record for Raphael Akpejiori". BoxRec .
  2. ↑ Damerell, Richard (6 May 2020). "Anthony Joshua has new Nigerian rival in Raphael Akpejiori who targets world title fight in Africa". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "Raphael Akpejiori". University of Miami Athletics. June 3, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Fast Breaks: Raphael Akpejiori". University of Miami Athletics. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "Meet Raphael Akpejiori of Road Warrior Sports & Entertainment in Coral Gables - Voyage MIA Magazine | Miami City Guide". Voyage MIA. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "From 'Canes' court to Dolphins' field, Akpejiori embraces transition". FOX Sports. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  7. 1 2 Orekoyaomikun, Oluwamay (10 September 2018). "Akpejiori to face Omar Acosta in pro debut". Sporting Life. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  8. ↑ Ihuoma, Chidinma (9 March 2020). "I don't regret dumping basketball for boxing –Akpejiori". The Nigerian Xpress. Archived from the original on 7 December 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "CES Boxing signing top talent — Boxing News". Boxing News 24/7. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  10. ↑ "BoxRec: Raphael Akpejiori vs. Omar Acosta". boxrec.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  11. ↑ "BoxRec: Raphael Akpejiori vs. James Advincola". boxrec.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  12. ↑ "BoxRec: Raphael Akpejiori vs. Leo Cassiani". boxrec.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  13. ↑ "BoxRec: Raphael Akpejiori vs. Johan Lopez". boxrec.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  14. ↑ "BoxRec: Raphael Akpejiori vs. Jose Pulido". boxrec.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Salazar, Francisco (21 January 2020). "Maureen Shea Stops Martina Horgasz in Six in Hallandale, Florida". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  16. ↑ "WNBA Star Chiney Ogwumike and Boxer Raphael Akpejiori Marry in Epic Four-Day Wedding Celebration". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2023-12-13.
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