Obisia Nwankpa

The career of Obisia “Golden Gloves” Nwankpa spanned more than four decades as both a boxer and as a coach. In 1972 Nwankpa won silver in the light-welterweight at the African Boxing Championships in Nairobi, earning himself a place on the Nigerian Olympic team for the München Games. At the Games, however, he lost his opening fight to Laudiel Negrón (PUR) to be eliminated. He bounced back from the loss to go on to win gold at the 1973 All-Africa Games, beating the great Issaka Daboré of Niger. One year later Nwankpa arguably had the biggest win of his career with gold at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, beating Tony Martey of Ghana in the final.

Nwankpa turned professional in 1979 and had an impressive start to his pro career, winning his first 17 fights. During this spell he won the Nigerian lightweight title and the African Boxing Union super-light title. His last fight was in September 1991, which he lost, before retiring for good with a record of 23 wins, six by knock out, and six defeats.