ULTIMATE BOXING RESULT'S Hottest Prospects- Part 2

Author: John Tandy


Tony Salam

Light Heavyweight - 6-0(2 KO's) now based in Finchley, London, originated from Nigeria

Following in the footsteps of fellow Nigerian, Ajose Olusegun, London based Tony Salam is looking to be a hot prospect in the Light Heavyweight division. Salem is 23 years old and currently a Sports Science student at the University of East London. He had a successful amateur career, fighting in the 2002 Commonwealth Games and became the GB Champion in 2004.

So far as his professional career goes, he is unbeaten in six fights with 2 stoppages, but the thing that stands out about Salem is his hand speed, for the weight class it’s incredible. He still has a few bad habits that need ironing out, but he has not faced anyone, so far, that could have been regarded as a threat. He tends to let his concentration slip from time to time, which allows him to be hit more easily than he should be, but fortunately he can withstand a really good shot as well. When he steps up in class that side of his game will improve, as he will be forced to concentrate more at the higher level.

Salam made his professional debut in November 2006, against the tough, but limited journeyman, Czaba Andras, who he dispatched in two rounds.

In his second fight he took on Cruiserweight Paul David who out-weighed Salem by over 11lbs, following the failure of his original opponent to show up. In this contest he knocked down David in round 2, but David used all of his experience to survive the 4 round contest, leaving Salem an easy points winner. His third challenger didn’t have the same luck, as he was knocked out in the opening round.

Salam then got his first taste of fighting in a large arena, on the under-card of David Haye v Tomasz Bonin, at Wembley Arena. Again he was handed a tough challenge in the form of John Anthony, who out-weighed Salem by 24lbs. Salam out-boxed Anthony for the duration of the fight and moved well. A slip in concentration in the 3rd round left Salam open for a huge swinging right hand which connected solidly on his chin. Amazingly Salam shrugged it off like nothing had happened and continued with his high pace, winning an easy points decision.

Then came the hugely under-rated journeyman, Nick Okoth. Salam came into the ring looking cold but started fast, showing his amazing hand speed, throwing hard, fast combinations, mixing up a good variety of shots to both the head and body. Okoth went into survival mode and barely threw a shot through the entire first round, attempting just to block as many of Salam’s shots as he could. The second round started in the same light, Salem was on a different level and was really starting to hurt Okoth. A glancing right hook from Salam’s southpaw stance dropped Okoth. He rose relatively unhurt and walked back into a lightning fast barrage of punches. At the end of the round a dejected Okoth walked back to his corner with blood coming from his mouth and nose. The third round saw Salam starting to showboat, Okoth was swinging wildly and missing by miles. His face was screwed up with frustration, but Salem continued to pick him off at will. In the fourth and final round, Okoth was slow off his stool as the bell went and tried to push Salem back, but with little success. Salam cruised to another easy points win and looked like he needed a decent step up in class before becoming bored and careless.

That step up came, in the form of Ovill McKenzie, the former Commonwealth Champion who had only lost once in his previous 10 bouts, that being, to the current Commonwealth and IBO Intercontinental Champion, Dean Francis. McKenzie came in the favourite to end the unbeaten run of Salam, but again Salam proved he was up for the challenge and defeated McKenzie on points in a hard fought battle. Salem again used his superior hand speed to its full potential.

Then came the devastating news that Salam’s manager, former British heavyweight champion James Oyebola had been murdered, in cold blood, by some mindless thugs, following an argument over a cigarette.

Salem makes his return to the ring on the under-card of the British Title fight, between Ian Napa and Martin Power, on the 30th November, at the Leisure Centre, Newham, London. An opponent is yet to be named, but watch out for Tony Salam he is definitely a big prospect for the future.