Friday Ahunanya

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Friday Chinedu Ahunanya, born November 19, 1971 in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, is a professional boxer. He is a journeyman heavyweight best known to beat several undefeated prospects and for his appearances on ESPN fight cards.

He fights out of Las Vegas, NV and is the current holder of the PABA heavyweight title, WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title and NABA heavyweight title.

[edit] Career

Known as Friday "The 13th", Ahunanya began his career in 1998 with a good deal of promise, winning his first 16 fights including a victory over undefeated (16-0-1) Nate Jones. In 2001 he lost a decision to undefeated (15-0) Olympian and future titlist Serguei Lyakhovich. In 2002 he handed French Olympian Josue Blocus his first loss.

In 2004 had his only early loss when hit in the eye in the 4th by Lance Whitaker. The loss to Whitaker was the beginning of decline for Ahunanya. He went on to lose to Taurus Sykes in New Mexico, who was not highly regarded in spite of his 22-1-1 record in 2005, arguably the low point of his career.

He then drew with fringe contender Dominick Guinn, and then was competitive in losing efforts against undefeated prospects Sultan Ibragimov (Olympic silver medalist) and 6-0 Olympic Gold medalist Alexander Povetkin.

In 2007 he rebounded by handing 19-0 New Zealand prospect Shane Cameron his first loss by knocking him down twice in the 12th and final round, after the second knockdown the referee intervened and stopped the contest, earning him a TKO victory.