Raphael Akpejiori is a Nigerian professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division.
15 Facts About Raphael Akpejiori
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Raphael Akpejiori born on 10 October 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria to Pius and Clara Akpejiori, and grew up in the Surulere area of the city.
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Raphael Akpejiori was raised alongside his five siblings: Okhiaofe, Ilamosi, Eshemokha, Ideoghena, and Eboshogwe.
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Raphael Akpejiori's father, Pius, was a player for New Nigeria Bank Football Club, and his mother a track and field sprinter competing for Edo State.
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Raphael Akpejiori was invited by the Nigerian Boxing Federation to compete for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 as a super-heavyweight.
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Raphael Akpejiori's first fight of 2020 was a second-round TKO win against Mike Ford in January.
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Raphael Akpejiori faced Gary Kelly in his seventh professional fight on August 22,2020, which he won by a second-round technical knockout.
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On November 7,2020, Raphael Akpejiori beat Jared Torgeson by a second-round technical knockout.
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Raphael Akpejiori was scheduled to face Joshua Tuani On January 23,2021 and won his first fight of 2021 by a first round knockout.
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Raphael Akpejiori beat Brandon Spencer by a second-round technical knockout on June 11,2021.
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Raphael Akpejiori then faced Steven Lyons on July 10,2021, and won by a first-round technical knockout.
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On January 21,2021, Raphael Akpejiori faced Dell Long and won by another first-round knockout.
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Raphael Akpejiori was scheduled to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov at in Toledo, Ohio on July 1,2023 for the WBC-NABF heavyweight title.
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Raphael Akpejiori lost the fight by TKO in the second round.
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In November 2023, Raphael Akpejiori married basketball player and NBA analyst Chiney Ogwumike.