It’s a barnstormer as Osagie wins thriller

Jackson Osagie…fighter who brings carnival atmosphere to shows

JACKSON Osagie, a Nigerian now based in Birmingham, may be a little short on finesse, but the light-heavyweight is certainly exciting in a wild, Rocky Balboa way.

He and tall Robbie Connors served-up the fight of the night at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, last night, with Osagie snatching a 39-37 decision after four rounds of mayhem.

It was a case of what you like. Connors, from Bellahouston, Scotland, produced the better boxing, while 31-year-old Osagie, taking part in his second contest, swung like an extra in a wild west movie saloon scene.

The action was raw – and then some.

Osagie is a man with a colourful, carnival like following. They gathered round the ring and shouted noisily during the mayhem of the contest’s second half. They celebrated as if Jackson had captured the world title.

Osagie responded by performing a strange, athletic dance in ring centre. The last time I moved like that I’d trodden barefoot on a stray Lego brick left by my son.

It was that kind of a surreal encounter.

Connors, who now sports a 2-2-1 record, attempted to keep his boxing together. Bleeding from the nose, he pumped out jabs.

And he had success. Osagie was wobbled in the first – and that was the signal for Jackson to hurl blows as if tossing a cricket ball.

In the third and fourth any semblance of defence had been abandoned – and some of Jackson’s punches appeared to start from his ankles.

It wasn’t for the purists, but it was exciting.

This thriller deserves a return.