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Mike Edwards – Ex-BBNaija star boxing debutant wins against Jake Cornish in Dublin Arena

A former contestant on Big Brother Naija and a two-time Nigerian high jump champion, Mike Edwards, has successfully claimed victory in his first professional boxing match against Jake Cornish.

The bout, held at the Dublin Arena on Saturday, went the full distance, with Edwards winning by unanimous decision from the judges.

Just a few months ago, Edwards announced his entry into the world of professional boxing on his X account, revealing his intention to compete in the Cruiserweight division of Misfits Boxing, an organization led by English social media influencer and Nigerian-born boxer Olajide Olayinka Williams, known as KSI.

Edwards, a former British representative who switched his athletic allegiance to Nigeria in August 2018, boasts of a personal best of 2.25m in high jump.

He has twice been crowned champion at the Nigeria Championships (2021 and 2022) and reached the finals of the African Athletics Championships on two occasions, finishing fourth in 2018 and narrowly missing out on gold four years later due to countback.

Edwards announced his entry into professional boxing in April 2024, expressing excitement about joining the Misfits Boxing Cruiserweight division. The event is managed by Olajide Williams, known as KSI, who is both a social media personality and a professional boxer. His debut fight took place on August 31, 2024, and was highly anticipated by fans who were eager to see how he would perform in this new arena.

During the match, Edwards showcased his skills and determination, which he had previously highlighted when announcing his shift from athletics to boxing. After securing the win, he expressed gratitude towards his supporters and acknowledged the significance of this first victory in his new sporting career.

Edwards’ background as an elite athlete includes notable achievements such as winning national championships in high jump and competing at international levels like the Commonwealth Games and African Athletics Championships. His successful debut in boxing not only reflects his athletic prowess but also sets the stage for what could be an exciting career ahead in this sport.

Writing by Tijjani Ibrahim