Olusegun Ajose earned a shot at World Boxing Council (WBC) super lightweight champion and Mexican legend Erik Morales with a unanimous decision victory over Ali Chebah in Friday’s main event of ShoBox: The New Generation on SHOWTIME® from Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Calif.
In the ShoBox co-feature, No. 5-ranked World Boxing Association (WBA) and 12th-ranked World Boxing Organization (WBO) lightweight Darley Perez scored a sixth round knockout over Oscar Meza when Meza’s corner stopped the bout following the sixth round. The win advanced the unbeaten prospect to 23-0 with 18 KOs.
In the main event, Ajose, the No. 1-ranked super lightweight contender, came out with an unorthodox yet aggressive style, landing sweeping right hooks on Chebah, the No. 6-ranked contender. Ajose opened up the third round with fireworks, landing a huge right hand to the top of Chebah’s head that send him stumbling to the canvas. Chebah beat the count but was immediately met with another onslaught from Ajose, who knocked down his opponent in 10 seconds with a brutal right hook. Miraculously, Chebah survived the round, although he lost it 10-7 on the judges’ scorecards.
Ajose (30-0, 15 KOs), of Nigeria, continued his showmanship yet he slowed his pace and failed to inflict much damage as the 12 round contest wore on. Chebah never relented in coming forward but an injured right hand prevented him from landing any damaging punches while the majority of Ajose’s power shots were high and wide.
Chebah (33-2, 26 KOs), of France, came on strong in the championship rounds, winning the crowd over in the 12th as they chanted his name. In the end, Chebah didn’t do enough to win over the judges, who scored the bout 120-106 and 119-107, twice.
“I have to give respect to him – he was a good opponent,” said Ajose. “I wanted to stop him in the third but he’s strong and he kept going. I had to be careful. I think I hit him well but he trained hard. I hurt my hand in the middle rounds and wasn’t able to finish him.”
Ajose, who was making his U.S. debut, now has his sights on Morales and the WBC title.
“I am the mandatory challenger so there isn’t any reason I shouldn’t fight him,” Ajose said. “He’s the champion so let’s get it on. They need to keep their promise and let us fight. I’m ready as soon as possible. I’d fight him tomorrow if they let me.”
While Chebah didn’t protest the decision loss he did think the scores should have been a little closer.
“I think I lost but not by as much as the judges had it,” Chebah said. “I wasn’t able to compete at the level I wanted. The gamep lan was to get him tired as the rounds went on, but in the third my hand swelled and I didn’t get any body shots. I just didn’t have any power in my right hand and that was the difference.”
Boxing legend and ShoBox commentator Antonio Tarver was impressed with Ajose’s performance.
“Ajose seemed like the real deal tonight and I don’t blame Morales if he doesn’t want to fight him,” Tarver said.
Darley Perez remained perfect by scoring a stoppage after round six of a scheduled ten round Lightweight bout.
Perez was solid over the first few rounds by jabbing and working the body. Meza was keeping Perez honest by landing a shot here and there. In round three, Meza was bleeding from the nose.
Perez continued to work the body and pump the jab and mixed in a good left hook. In round six, Perez stepped on the gas and pressed Meza to the tune of opening a cut over his left and that gave Perez even more cause to continue the systematic beating.
After round six, Meza looked beaten and the fight was stopped by his corner.
Perez, 133 1/2 lbs of Argentina is now 23-0 with eighteen knockouts. Meza, 136 lbs of Mexico is now 22-5.
“I was just getting into rhythm when they stopped it but I’m really happy with my performance,” Perez said. “I usually get warmed up after the sixth round so I think I would have knocked him out.”
“I thought they would have stopped the fight in the fifth. I could see it in his eyes – he was hurt. It was a good stoppage.”
While disappointed with his performance, Meza disagreed with his corner.
“I thought I would do more damage in the fight,” Meza said. “After I got hit in the left eye I couldn’t see the punches coming. I was hurt but I think I could have rallied. I’m not happy with the stoppage but I’ll live to fight another day.
