By Victor Kanayo
Legendary Nigerian boxer and coach, Obisia Nwakpa, mostly known as Obiclay, has died, aged 76.
Obiclay was reputed for his hard punches in his active days.
Born 19 May 1950, Obiclay, the man with the golden gloves, had stroke and dementia such that he could not remember his days when he fell men with his hard knocks in the squared ropes.
Obiclay’s demise was disclosed by his wife on Wednesday.
Career Pathways
Obisia, who fought in the 70s, 80s and 90s, had 29 fights with 23 wins, of which 16 were on technical knockouts (TKO).
He lost six bouts and was himself knocked out three times in his career.
Obisia lost at the Germany 1972 Summer Olympics to Laudiel Negron of Puerto Rico.
He won the 1973 All-Africa Games light welter weight gold, defeating Issaka Dabore of Niger Republic, and also won the New Zealand Commonwealth gold in that category when he beat Anthony Martey of Ghana. He was the No. 1 contender of the World Boxing Council in that category before hanging up his gloves.
The boxing legend was Nigeria’s head coach to the country’s boxing team at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games.
