Former WBC World title challenger, newly announced WBC No. 1 ranked and NABF cruiserweight Champion Ryan Rozicki (19-1, 18Kos) believes the greats come back every hundred years and he is standing proof. He compares himself to the man named “Kid Blackie and The Manassa Mauler” arguably the greatest boxer of all time, Jack Dempsey. The remarkable physical resemblance, aggressive fighting style and exceptional punching power are all clear attributes when comparing him to the late Dempsey. The 100 year timeframe between the two is what cements Rozicki’s firm stance. Jack Dempsey was born in 1895, Rozicki being born 100 years later in 1995. Both men came from a rough up bringing and Rozicki is certain there are more similarities to surface. “Everyone has their beliefs in religion or spiritual or whatever they want to believe and that’s fine but my belief is Jack is my boxing god. He (Jack Dempsey) has pushed me since I began, he was the first boxer I ever watched and I knew there was something about him that made me know I will be champion of the world.” Stated the orthodox fighter, who comes from Sydney, Nova Scotia Canada and will have a chance in the WBC final eliminator bout to become the mandatory challenger of current champion Noel Gervor Mikaelian (27-2, 15KO)
On Saturday, December 2nd, opportunity knocks as he fights for the mandatory challenger position against former world title challenger, WBC No. 8 ranked Olandewaju Durodola (43-9, 40Kos) from Lagos, Nigeria. The WBC Final Eliminator bout will be held at the Emera Centre in North Sydney, Canada. .
The event is being promoted by Three Lions Promotions. “This card is outstanding from top to bottom. The main event is going to be a real rough and tough fight with both guys having KO power and Ryan is laser focused, expect to see his best performance yet”. Stated Daniel Otter, Managing Director of Three Lions Promotions.
It’s been a busy year for the 28-year-old Canadian Rozicki, who will have fought five times to the date next Saturday within the last twelve months. Along the past year he has stopped all his foes before the distance and picked up the NABF cruiserweight title. Just over two years ago he calmly and audaciously took on Colombia’s Oscar Rivas (28-1, 19Kos) with only two weeks notice, moving up in weight to compete for the inaugural WBC bridgerweight title. Rivas, who hasn’t fought since his exchange with Rozicki, fulfilled his dream of winning the title, but Rozicki almost ruined the Colombians evening. The pair exchanged heavy blows in an all out slugfest and at the end of twelve rounds, Rozicki showed his true heart and gained notable respect from the boxing world.
The road for the Nigerian power punching Durodola this year has been equally as busy, making next Saturday’s bout also his fifth in the last 12 months, winning all by knockout. Less then three years ago, Durodola challenged for the WBC Cruiserweight title against Congo’s Ilunga Makabu (29-4, 25Kos). The action of that fight was right from the start, with Durodola coming out and throwing everything he had at the champion, ultimately falling short with the referee stopping the action in the seventh round.
Who is Ryan Rozicki?
Ryan Rozicki, born 20 February 1995, is an Canadian professional boxer. He held the WBC International title in 2019 and 2022, and is the current NABF champion. Nicknamed ‘The Bruiser”, he is the self proclaimed modern day Jack Dempsey, with his style and appearance emulating the rough and rugged 1920’s era of boxing. He is signed to Three Lions Promotions and is ranked as the number one cruiserweight for the WBC, number five for the IBF, number eight for the WBO and number nine for the WBA.
Who is Olanrewaju Durodola?
Olanrewaju Durodola, born 16 October 1980, is a Nigerian- African professional boxer. He is currently signed by manager Roland Jankelson and held the WBC World Silver cruiserweight title from 2015 to 2016. Nicknamed “God’s Power”. Currently ranked number eight in the WBC.
The WBC cruiserweight division is getting very interesting with the announcements at the World Boxing Council’s 2023 Convention in Tashkent. Along with the ranking update and announcement of the Ryan Rozicki vs. Olanrewaju Durodola fight as the final eliminator for the first mandatory position, a tournament to determine the second mandatory challenger will be held which should bring some interesting bouts, keeping the cruiserweight division busy.
Tale of the Tape
RYAN “Bruiser” ROZICKI
WBC No.1 at cruiserweight
IBF No.5 at cruiserweight
WBO No. 9 at cruiserweight
WBA No. 9 at cruiserweight
Age: 28
DOB: February 20th, 1995
Residence: Hamilton, Canada
Birthplace: Sydney, Canada
Record: 19-1, 18KOs
Total rounds: 71
Height: 6’2”- 1.88 m
Reach: 74” – 188cm
Stance: Right-handed
Promoter: Three Lions Promotions
OLANREWAJU “Gods Power” DURODOLA
Ranked WBC No.8 at Cruiserweight
Age: 43
DOB: October 16, 1980
Residence: Lagos, Nigeria
Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
Record: 43-7, 40KOs
Total rounds: 173
Height: 6’3” – 1.89 m
Reach:75” – 191cm
Stance: Right -handed
Manager: Roland Jankelson
How to Watch
Start Time: 7:30pm AST PPV
Ringwalks: 10:30pm AST
TV Channel: Live on PPV www.threelionspromotions.com
Running Order
Main Event:
Ryan Rozicki V Olanrewaju Durodola
12×3 WBC cruiserweight final eliminator
Chief Support:
John Michael Bianco vs Bryam Galvez
8×3 super middleweight
Undercard:
Pedro Bernal V Mario Victorino Vera
8×3 junior lightweight
Brett Beaton V Kenny Chery
8×3 middleweight
Diana Tapia V Jennifer Williams
6×2 super welterweight
Reda Benbaziz V Ramiro Garcia Lopez
4×2 lightweight
Media passes are available for the event.
Interviews/photos available with promoter Dan Otter or any of the boxers.
Social media is welcome. Twitter & Instagram @3lionspromotions www.facebook.com/3lionspromotions
MEDIA CONTACT:
Dan Otter, Managing Director
Three Lions Promotions