British Champion, Ajisafe, Set For Wanyonyi Bout

Bob Ajisafe is determined to prove there are two boxers in Leeds capable of winning world titles. The reigning British light-heavyweight champion had been due to fight Kenyan Daniel Wanyonyi for the Commonwealth strap in-front of 10,000 fans in his home city last Saturday night. However, Wanyonyi was refused a visa after recent terrorist attacks in the African country and Ajisafe was forced to settle for an eight-rounder against Georgian George Kandelaki, on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s clash with Dennis Tubieron. Fellow Leeds fighter Warrington is on course to fight for world honours and has built up a huge following of fans – but  Nottingham-born Ajisafe is determined to push his own claims for recognition in the city he now very much calls home. “I was ready to fight for the Commonwealth title in Leeds, my hometown,” Ajisafe (15-2 6KOs) told sportinglife.com. “I was desperate to win the belt and put on a good show, but everything seemed to go wrong in the week leading up the fight. Wanyonyi was unable to get a visa but obviously setbacks happen and that’s just part of the game. “But it was a big disappointment for me to be denied the chance to win the Commonwealth title in Leeds. There would have been nothing better than that so I hope I can come back soon and have that opportunity again. “I’d like to scoop another title in the next couple of months and then take it from there, but I’d like to fight for an interim world title or even a world title before the end of the year. I believe I’m beyond domestic level so I want to keep pushing on now but at the same time I don’t want to look too far ahead – it’s one fight at a time “However, hopefully one of those title fights will happen on another one of these big nights in Leeds. I feel happy here, I’m comfortable here – it’s my hometown and to display my skills in-front of my own fans means such a lot to me. “I’d like to show that there are two fighters in the city capable of winning world titles. I fought at the town hall last year and there was a great turnout so I think I am starting to get recognition in the city. “But I was boxing on Channel Five, not Sky Sports which would have given me greater exposure. Josh has got that great following from Leeds United fans, but I sold a lot of tickets and being on this bill can certainly help me. “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback but I’d like to get involved more with the local media to build the hype even more. I want the city to get behind me like they have done with Josh and to know that I’m one of their own.” Ajisafe only found out five days before the fight that Wanyonyi had pulled out, leaving preparations for a second crack at the Commonwealth strap – after losing to Tony Bellew back in 2010 – in tatters. Manchester prospect Hosea Burton (12-0 5KOs) had offered to take the fight, but Ajisafe quickly turned the “backward step” down. “I found out last Tuesday night that the Wanyonyi was off and I spent Wednesday morning deliberating on how I should proceed,” he said. “The options were that they offered me a local lad from Manchester [Hosea Burton] was willing to step in at the 11th hour. “But I had been in preparation for a championship opponent with a totally different style. I’m not going to jeopardise my own route and standing at such short notice. I believe I’m the best but I’ve got my own plans and I’m going down my own route so that was never a viable option for me. “I’m not really interested in Burton or any other domestic fighters because I believe I’m beyond that level. It was taking a backward step and giving him a payday where I believe people must earn their shot to fight me as I’m British champion and number one with the Commonwealth. “That fight can perhaps be made down the line at some point – but there there was another option for me. I’ve been involved in back-to-back championship fights so I thought to myself well why not have a tune-up fight which I very rarely have and then hopefully have the Commonwealth title fight in a month or so. “It made more sense to me and to be honest I’m not going to be dictated to. I’m the British champion and I don’t duck anyone, but the next fight has always got to be what is best for me and my career.” Ajisafe admits he saw very little footage of 30-year-old Kandelaki (14-13-1 4KOs) before stepping in the ring, but it mattered little as he stopped him inside two rounds after putting the outclassed Georgian down three times. “I had to have a look at him early on but I set him up nicely for the left hand,” said the ‘Lionheart’. “There was limited footage on him, as there was on Wanyonyi tio be fair but my trainer had seen him so we sort of knew what to expect. “I’m not one to study my opponents but obviously it’s wise to at least have a look to know what style you’re going to be up against. That’s the key thing at this level – styles. You need to be able to adapt in the ring.”