Introduction
Olawale O. "Ola" Afolabi (born 15 March 1980) is a British professional boxer. He is a two-time former WBO interim cruiserweight champion, as well as a two-time former IBO cruiserweight champion. Nicknamed "Kryptonite", Afolabi was known in the ring for his slickness, counterpunching skills and durability. Born to Nigerian parents, Afolabi resides in California, where he also trained for the majority of his career.
Career
Afolabi began his professional career in 2002, fighting at super middleweight and light heavyweight. In 2003 he was outpointed by Allan Green, prompting a full-time move to cruiserweight in 2004. He beat a small heavyweight clubfighter in Willie Chapman and added James Walton and Michael Simms to his victims. He also knocked out former Cruiserweight Champ Orlin Norris.
The win that put him into the limelight came over undefeated highly touted Golden Gloves champion Eric Fields whom he KO'ed in 2008. He was immediately signed to a promotional contract with Duva Boxing. Afolabi subsequently made his national television debut on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, winning a unanimous decision over DeLeon Tinsley.
In March 2009 he scored another upset KO by defeating former WBO World Cruiserweight champion Enzo Maccarinelli to win the Interim WBO cruiserweight title in Manchester, England.
His good run ended when he lost a very close decision against Marco Huck in Germany.
He rebounded with a first-round knockout over former European champion Terry Dunstan.
After his 4th fight with Huck, a 10th round stoppage loss, Afolabi decided to call time and announced his retirement.
Afolabi vs Huck II
After defeating 2 journeymen, Afolabi got a rematch against Huck on 5 May 2012, for Huck's WBO Cruiserweight championship, which would be in Germany as in their first match. In their previous bout, it was a very close fight ending with Huck escaping with a razor-thin majority decision victory. However, in the rematch, it was even closer than the first bout, with a brutal 12 rounds in a great fight. Unfortunately for Afolabi, the fight ended in a split draw, and Huck retained his WBO belt.
Professional boxing record
| 22 Wins (11 knockouts, 11 decisions), 6 Losses, 4 Draws | |||||||
| Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 22–6–4 | Mario Daser | TKO | 3 (12), 2:00 | 2017-05-19 | Barclaycard Arena, Hamburg | |
| Loss | 22–5–4 | Marco Huck | RTD | 10 (12), 3:00 | 2016-02-27 | Gerry Weber Stadion, Halle, Nordrhein-Westfalen | Lost IBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 22–4–4 | Rakhim Chakhkiyev | KO | 5 (12), 1:44 | 2015-11-04 | TatNeft Arena, Kazan | Won IBO Cruiserweight title. IBF Cruiserweight title eliminator. |
| Loss | 21–4–4 | Victor Emilio Ramírez | UD | 12 | 2015-04-10 | Villa La Ñata Sporting Club, Benavídez, Buenos Aires | For interim IBF Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 21–3–4 | Anthony Caputo Smith | RTD | 3 (12), 3:00 | 2014-07-26 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
| Win | 20–3–4 | Łukasz Janik | MD | 12 | 2013-11-02 | The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City | Won vacant IBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Loss | 19–3–4 | Marco Huck | MD | 12 | 2013-06-08 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin | For WBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Draw | 19–2–4 | Marco Huck | MD | 12 | 2012-05-05 | Messehalle, Erfurt, Thuringia | For WBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 19–2–3 | Valery Brudov | RTD | 5 (12), 3:00 | 2012-03-03 | Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, Nordrhein-Westfalen | Won interim WBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 18–2–3 | Lukasz Rusiewicz | UD | 8 | 2011-09-10 | Stadion Miejski, Wrocław | |
| Win | 17–2–3 | Terry Dunstan | KO | 1 (12), 2:40 | 2011-07-02 | Imtech Arena, Altona, Hamburg | Retained WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 16–2–3 | Lubos Suda | TKO | 5 (12) | 2011-03-19 | Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen | Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 15–2–3 | Sandro Siproshvili | UD | 10 | 2010-10-16 | O2 World Arena, Altona, Hamburg | |
| Loss | 14–2–3 | Marco Huck | UD | 12 | 2009-12-05 | Arena Ludwigsburg, Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg | For WBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 14–1–3 | Enzo Maccarinelli | KO | 9 (12), 1:50 | 2009-03-14 | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, Greater Manchester | Won interim WBO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 13–1–3 | DeLeon Tinsley | UD | 8 | 2008-08-15 | Ibiza Nightclub, Washington, D.C. | |
| Win | 12–1–3 | Eric Fields | TKO | 10 (10), 0:55 | 2008-04-12 | Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma Washington | Won vacant WBO NABO Cruiserweight title. |
| Win | 11–1–3 | Orlin Norris | TKO | 7 (8), 2:31 | 2005-11-03 | 4th and B, San Diego, California | |
| Win | 10–1–3 | Michael Simms | UD | 8 | 2005-08-19 | Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 9–1–3 | James Walton | UD | 4 | 2005-05-27 | Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Draw | 8–1–3 | Jonathan Young | PTS | 6 | 2005-01-14 | Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, Rancho Mirage, California | |
| Win | 8–1–2 | Willie Chapman | TKO | 2 (6), 0:54 | 2004-11-05 | Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 7–1–2 | Carlos Raul Ibarra | UD | 4 | 2004-08-37 | The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 6–1–2 | Man Semou Diouf | KO | 5 (6), 0:57 | 2004-07-09 | Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 5–1–2 | Gustavo Arroyo | TKO | 2 (4), 1:44 | 2004-04-23 | The Orleans, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 4–1–2 | Germain Thedford | UD | 4 | 2004-02-13 | Fort Cheyenne Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Draw | 3–1–2 | Anthony Russell | PTS | 4 | 2003-09-05 | Stardust Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Win | 3–1–1 | Alejandro Rafael Virgen | UD | 4 | 2003-04-11 | Radisson Hotel, Fresno, California | |
| Loss | 2–1–1 | Allan Green | UD | 4 | 2003-03-08 | Marconi Automotive Museum, Tustin, California | |
| Win | 2–0–1 | Joe Mendoza | UD | 4 | 2003-02-07 | Radisson Hotel, Fresno, California | |
| Win | 1–0–1 | Tom Perea | UD | 4 | 2002-07-11 | SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, California | |
| Draw | 0–0–1 | Gerard Barber | PTS | 4 | 2002-02-14 | Marriott Hotel, Irvine, California | Professional debut. |