I was reading about murdered boxers on wikipedia(morbid I know) and sadly the name James Oyebola appeared on the list. For the life of me I can't recall anything about him which is strange as according to wiki he was a true super-heavyweight at 6ft 9 and was good enough to win both the WBC International and the British Heavyweight titles. Can anyone tell me what he was like as a fighter? Was he ever a serious contender? Also what was the story behind his murder? Wikipedia says he was shot at a club for asking some blokes to stop smoking which is absolutely ****ing senseless if it's true. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
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I knew James, he was a staggeringly big man who was starting to get a name for himself as a decent boxing coach and manager of his own fighters.. He was humble, and integral and had steered Isreal Ajose towards top honors before his life was senslessly taken outside that Fulham night spot... I was at the westgarth fight when he was ahead on points and got caught and stopped by the brave rough Westgarth who had a thousand pounds betted on himself to win.. James also boxed Lennox Lewis in the commonwealth games .... He was a monsterous puncher but often very predictable.. BUT , very likable and humble..... Sorely missed by many an honest true gentle giant....
Thanks for that. Oyebola must've been okay to beat Scott Welch as I remember Welch as a decent enough,tough fighter whom I recall stopping Aussie Joe Bugner in the mid 90's. As for Oyebola's death what a disgusting act that was.Speaks volumes about the type of people who carried the murder out that they felt the need to carry a firearm when going out clubbing. Bloody cowards.
