Raphael Akpejiori

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Raphael Akpejiori
Born
Ethasor Raphael Akpejiori

Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
Other namesNigerian Hurricane
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights18
Wins17
Wins by KO16
Losses1

Ethasor Raphael Akpejiori is a Nigerian professional boxer.

Early life[edit]

Ethasor Raphael Akpejiori was born on 10 October 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria, and grew up in the Surulere area of the city.[2][3] He has five siblings.[4] In 2008, at the age of 17, he moved to Wichita, Kansas, on a basketball scholarship, where he attended Sunrise Christian Academy. In 2010, he moved to Miami, Florida, after being recruited by the University of Miami basketball team (where he played four seasons), eventually switching to play American football as a graduate student in 2014, and gaining a place at the Miami Dolphins' rookie training camp in 2015.[5][6] He holds a bachelors and master's degree in mechanical engineering.[7]

Amateur career[edit]

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

Professional career[edit]

Promoted by CES Boxing and trained by former world champion Glen Johnson,[9] Akpejiori 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]

Professional boxing record[edit]

18 fights 17 wins 1 loss
By knockout 16 1
By decision 1 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
18 Win 17-1 Santander Silgado Gelez TKO
17 Win 16-1 Francisco Silvens Mateo KO
16 Loss 15–1 Arslanbek Makhmudov TKO 2 (10), 1:43 1 Jul 2023 Huntington Center, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. For WBC-NABF heavyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Dell Long TKO 1 (8), 1:48 21 Jan 2023 Calta’s Fitness & Boxing, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Terrell Jamal Woods UD 8 11 Jun 2022 Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Santander Silgado TKO 1 (8), 1:30 6 Nov 2021 Miami Airport Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Steven Lyons TKO 1 (8), 2:59 10 Jul 2021 Miami Airport Convention Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Brandon Spencer TKO 2 (8), 1:42 11 Jun 2021 Avanti Palms Resort, Orlando, Florida, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Curtis Head TKO 1 (6), 2:21 24 Apr 2021 1500 Grand Central Ave, Vienna, West Virginia, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Joshua Tuani KO 1 (6), 2:46 23 Jan 2021 Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater, Miramar, Florida, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Jared Torgeson TKO 2 (6), 1:36 7 Nov 2020 Bonita Springs Elks Lodge, Bonita Springs, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Gary Kelly TKO 2 (6), 2:02 22 Aug 2020 Bonita Springs Elks Lodge, Bonita Springs, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Mike Ford TKO 2 (6), 0:47 17 Jan 2020 Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Jose Pulido TKO 2 (6), 1:40 17 Aug 2019 Plaza Principal de Pacho, Pacho, Colombia
4 Win 4–0 Johan Lopez TKO 1 (4), 2:59 26 Jul 2019 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Leo Cassiani KO 1 (4), 2:45 15 Jun 2019 Parque Central, Tolú, Colombia
2 Win 2–0 James Advincola TKO 1 (4), 0:49 21 Nov 2018 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Omar Acosta TKO 1 (4), 0:59 14 Sep 2018 Twin River Event Center, Lincoln, Rhode Island, U.S.

Personal life[edit]

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

References[edit]

  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. ^ a b 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. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  9. ^ "CES Boxing signing top talent — Boxing News". Boxing News 24/7. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  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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