14.9.2007: Former WBA/WBO world-title-challenger Evans “The African Warrior” Ashira (28-3, 14 KOs) made an impressive return to the 154 Lb. division on Friday night in Horsens, Denmark, when he annihilated Ian MacKillop (25-9-3, 14 KOs) from Canada in the second round to capture the IBA world boxing title. Ashira finished MacKillop with a huge overhand right to knock the Candian out cold at 2:28 of the round. It was a brutal display of power, and the looser was on the floor for several minutes before being able to stand up.
“I am back for real in my natural weightclass, and I have the power to knock out anybody at 154 pounds,” said the Danish-based Kenyan, who has been campaigning mainly at middleweight since 2001, and even went twelve rounds with Joe Calzaghe for the WBO super middleweight title two years ago. He started his career at light middle, but circumstances made him move up in weight even though he always felt that 154 was his best weight:
“This guy knocked out a top-class guy in Shannan Taylor just last year, so the fact that I can get rid of him in less than two rounds prove that I am a force to be reckoned with. Now I am a two-time IBA champion, and I am very proud of that, but I want one of the main-players soon. Anybody out there who think they can deal with the African Warrior at 154, lets get it on!”
Ashira reveals that he is looking to next fight on the big Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler card at the Millenium Stadium in Cardif, Wales on November 3, and that his manager Jan Andersen is in the final stages of finishing the negotiations for this.
“I want to thank my manager for making this fight against MacKillop happen, and I guarantee that if he gets me on the Calzaghe – Kessler show, I will deliver another spectacular performance. If any of the top British light middleweights are game, then why not knock one of them out in Britain? I’ll even fight one of Frank Warrens boys on his show, it doesn’t matter to me!”
The IBA light middleweight title is the 1996 Olympians fourth title as a professional. He is a former holder of IBF Intercontinental (154 Lbs) and WBA International (160 Lbs.) titles, as well as the IBA middleweight title. None of them were lost in the ring, and Ashira is undoubtedly the most successful boxer ever hailing from Kenya. He signed with Don King Productions in 2002 and made his WBA and WBO world title challenges under the DKP banner before asking for a release of his promotional contract with King in 2006, and has since been a free agent.