Nigerian Boxing Champ Fights For Life After Gun Attack In London

A NIGERIAN-BORN boxer and former world heavyweight champion, James Oyebola, has been put on life support, after being shot in the face at a Fulham night club, in West London at about 1.00 a.m. on Tuesday.

Six feet, nine inches tall, Oyebola, also known as Big Dad, worked at a nearby club as a bouncer and only went to the club to have a drink with the owner, an Irish man, when the incident occurred.

According to witnesses, the Nigerian father of two had politely stepped in to assist the club's staff, who had asked three black men to observe the "no smoking" law which came into effect in all British pubs and bars on July 1. One of the three men later produced a gun and fired at the Oyebola's face several times.

The 47-year-old boxer was also hit in the leg before the three men were seen running off in the direction of Fulham broadway. A handgun has been found at a nearby spot and Police have since sealed off the scene, which is opposite Fulham Broadway Tube Station.

Oyebola, a 1986 Commonwealth super heavyweight bronze medalist - an event at which Lennox Lewis won the gold - had an impressive professional career of 18 wins - 16 being within the distance - out of 23 fights. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1993, winning the World Boxing Council (WBC) international heavyweight title. Three years later, he retired after losing his last fight to former British Heavyweight champion, Julius Francis.

Although reports indicate that he is unlikely to survive the shooting, Oyebola's wife of 15 years and their children are still keeping a bedside vigil.

Although the motive of the shooting is still not clear, detectives from Operation Trident - which investigate black-on-black gun crime - are meeting over it and also appealing for information.

Detective Chief Inspector, Scott Wilson wants "anyone with information to come forward to Police and assist us in bringing those responsible for gravely injuring James to justice."

He said: "We are still trying to piece it together," adding that "it would appear that James was trying to be the peacemaker and the altercation over smoking escalated from there." Wilson disclosed further that the shooting "was over very quickly, probably a matter of seconds."

He noted that James "is a family man and has a long-term partner whose two children are absolutely distraught by what has happened. Without doubt, to shoot a man like this is absolutely deplorable and these people need to be caught."

Some witnesses disclosed how the former world champion had politely stepped in to help the staff, only to be fired at without warning. "He wasn't aggressive," said a witness. Oyebola, the witness continued, "was just being a good citizen but the three saw it as a sign of disrespect. On their way out, one of them pulled out a gun and began firing at James."