HE'S BACK: AJOSE "THE GUN" OLUSEGUN

Ajose (left obviously) opted out of the tattoo Groupon.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AJOSE "THE GUN" OLUSEGUN

Lucas Matthysse vs Ajose Olusegun in September 2012 was an incredible fight. A toe to toe, back and forth, rock’em sock’em, slug fest. It was old school. Ajose, heavily ring-rusted at the time, traded for 10 rounds with the Argentinian “Machine” before he was justifiably stopped; but he did that thing that really sets the pulse racing– even when he was being clobbered he somehow found a way to reverse the tide by firing back in the middle of a Matthysse flurry with blistering combinations of his own. If you haven’t seen, it go and watch – come back and we’ll pick it up from here. I’ll wait. 


If you have seen it, you’re probably aware that Matthysse has frankly crapped on his last two opponents making Ajose’s performance even more impressive in hindsight. Mike Dallas Jr and Lamont Peterson could only last a combined 4 rounds with Matthysse. Much to the chagrin of his new hard-earned fans, Ajose (31-1-14 KO’s) hasn’t fought since September. As a former British and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion with an awesome highlight reel and an extremely fan-friendly style, he's been conspicuous in his absence from the ring.  He was supposed to fight Mercito Gesta but the Philippino withdrew with an injury so Lou DibBella fixed the Nigerian a fight with Hank Lundy that goes down on July 19th. Thank heavens for that. 


I reached out to Ajose who completed a 20-question email interview on his iphone! I knew this dude was a legend. 

Me: You were born in Nigeria. Tell us a little about your upbringing, your family and why you moved to the UK.

"I have a colorful belt, do you?"

Ajose: Yes, I was born, bred, raised, and schooled in Nigeria.  My upbringing was tough; my dad was just a boxing coach so we had no money. A lot of the time we only ate one meal a day. I would go school, then to training and come home hungry with no sign of where the next meal was coming from. But I developed the habit of training first then worrying about what I'd eat later. That was what kept me going. I didn't live in a slum; I just lived in a poor neighbourhood. 

I moved to the UK simply to become a pro after I lost at the Olympics. Nigerian boxing officials, and my dad wanted me to stay amateur but I knew it would be a waste of time. I waited for 4 years then got robed in the Olympics. So, the UK was just a natural first choice for a Nigerian.

Me:  What attracted you to boxing? How old were you? Why did you start?

Ajose: I was 6 years old and talked into a boxing match against a girl boxer. I thought I was going to win of course but I soon found out the girl was a million times better than

 I was and she knocked me down 3 times in the first round. 

2 weeks later I started boxing,

Me: You were a gentleman for not exercising the rematch clause once you went pro. You competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Describe that experience and how it affected your decision to go pro.

Ajose: The Olympic experience was one of my best experiences in my life. It was amazing. It is the best sporting competition on earth. That being said, it is highly politicized now - which was the reason I turned professional. But apparently, the pro business isn’t much different.

The Boko Haram don't phase Ajose. Really??

Me:  Nigeria is experiencing an uncertain future with the emergence of  Islamic extremist militants such as the Boko Haram. Do you have an opinion on what is going on back home? What are your concerns for Nigeria?

Ajose: Nigeria doesn't have an uncertain future. Yes, we have some issues at the moment but every country has issues. It is just a difficult time for us now, and I am sure it will soon pass. Our future is bright.

Me: Back to boxing – do you keep in good shape throughout the year? Or do you pull a Ricky Hatton and let it all hang out between fights?

Ajose: I am scared of getting fat so I'm always doing something to stay fit. I'm a true pro.

Me: You have found it difficult to get people to fight you. How do you overcome this and continue to have a functional career? How do you get the fights you need to progress if people duck you?

Danny Garcia did ^ this ^ to Ajose. 

Ajose: Lol! That's why I'm always broke. Right now I am a "high risk low reward kind of fighter" so nobody willingly wants to fight me. It's a matter of getting hold of a world title and then all that will change. 

Me: How did your relationship with Lou Dibella start? Do you guys get along?

Ajose: I just came to the US because my girlfriend was moving back home (she's American). And when I got here I arranged a meeting with Lou Dibella, the rest as they say is history. And yes, we get along.

Me: If you don’t have a fight for a while how do you make a living? Do you do professional sparring for other fighters' training camps?

Ajose: I'm an active soldier in the Nigerian army as an instructor. No, I don't go to camp as sparring partner but when my friends need sparring I help out. 

Me: What do you like to do when you are not boxing? Hobbies, interests etc?

Ajose: I used to play football (soccer). Now I just play table tennis, spend time with my girlfriend and kids.

Me: What are the main differences between the British and American boxing scenes? Which is more political?

Ajose papping Mattyhsse 

Ajose: As we all know, when the Americans do something, they do it big. The promotion aspect here is bigger than in Britain. There is more politics in British boxing than the US. For example: how many times have you seen 2 foreign boxers headlining a show in the UK? The answer I guess is 0. In the US you see it all the time. It doesn't matter where you are from, if you are good they want to see you fight, simple. Mathew Macklin is fighting Golovkin in few days, they are both foreign but they are headlining a big show here.

Me:  Most people in the US will know you from the Matthysse fight. How did that fight happen? Who wanted to fight who?

Ajose: I was just willing to fight anyone and he was willing to fight anyone too. It's that simple. 

Matthysse returning the favor.

Me:  What are your memories of the fight? How hard does Matthysse hit?

Ajose: I remember I could not do what was natural to me as a result of rustiness. And he hit like a heavyweight, no, for real. You see what happened to the guys he fought after me? Nobody lasted 3 rounds. I think there is more to that kind of power, that's all I'll say.

Me: Wow, ok…let’s steer you away from a lawsuit and ask you what's your favorite pre-fight meal?

Ajose: Anything healthy. Sometimes, I eat hamburgers. 

Me:  Sex before a fight. Yes or no?

Ajose: Sex? Oh yes.

Me: Good lad. What do you think of Hank Lundy as a fighter? What's going to happen on July 19th?

Ajose: He's a good boxer but I'm better. I’m tougher and I’m more experienced. I’ll win.

Me:  The 140 division is rich with talent. What would be your dream fight? And, did Danny Garcia duck you?

Ajose: Dream match would be against Floyd Mayweather. He is the best around, and I want to fight the best.  Surely, Danny Garcia ducked me. That is not to say he is not a good fighter but he ducked me, simple.

Kanu: Ajose approved Nigerian legend

Me: Who was your greatest inspiration?

Ajose: I get my inspiration from everywhere. No one specific. 

Me:  What do you think of Al Haymon’s influence in boxing?

Ajose: Al Hamon is getting the most money for the boxers so that is good in my opinion. The boxers are the ones risking their lives to earn a living so if they get paid more that's good by me.

Me:  Who is the greatest Nigerian sportsman of all time? You are allowed to say yourself.

Ajose: That is a tough one. Hmmmmm! I'll go with Kanu Nwankwo. 

Me:  Do you have a message for your fans?

Ajose: Thank you so much for all your support from the UK, from Nigeria and here in the US. I do very much appreciate you all. I promise I'll always give you the best I can. 

Me: Ok, that’s it. Thanks so much

Ajose: This is the longest interview I' ve ever done, don't you realize I have a job? I actually have to train and rest for this fight! Lol.

  

Ajose - delighted and relieved...that this interview is over.