Obituary - James Oyebola by Ian McNeilly Jul 27th 2007

In the latest dark incident for society generally and boxing specifically, former British heavyweight champion James Oyebola died today, four days after being shot at a London nightclub. Details of the needless tragedy and James' sad demise are required but for those of us who knew of him before he became a murder victim, Oyebola the fighter and the man should be foregrounded. Nigeria-born James, 46, was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh before turning professional and racking up an 18(16 KOs)-4-1 record compiled between 1987 and 1996. His amateur club was All Stars ABC (for whom Tee Jay, another who died tragically young last year, also boxed). James beat Gary McCrory to win the ABA super-heavyweight title in 1986 (the same vintage as world champions Nigel Benn and Paul Hodkinson) and he retained it by beating John Shakespeare the following year. There was no shame in James' Commonwealth Games semi-final loss. He performed with credit before he was caught in the second round by the winner, a certain Lennox Lewis. Oyebola was nicknamed ‘Big Bad' and although he was, at 6'9”, undoubtedly the former he was far from the latter. His awesome physical presence, including an 85” reach, meant he was a handful for any heavyweight. As reflected by his career stats, Oyebola could certainly crack – an incredible 89% of his wins came by stoppage. But he could also be susceptible to a punch himself and by the time he faced Roger McKenzie for the vacant WBC International and British (Southern Area) titles in October 1993, James had stopped eleven opponents but had also been halted twice himself. He stopped McKenzie in the first. In what was perhaps the high point of Oyebola's career, he defended his International title against Scott Welch. He had to travel to Atlantic City to do so but it was worth it – the bout appeared on the undercard of former foe Lennox Lewis' world title win over Phil Jackson. Welch had won all of the first four rounds and had James over in the third. Oyebola turned it round to spark the Brighton man in the fifth. He certainly had the equaliser. In his next bout Oyebola won the biggest honour of his career – the British title – stopping Clifton Mitchell in four rounds at the Cardiff Ice Rink. A make time win over Keith McMurray followed before a rematch with Welch in defence of his Lonsdale belt as well as a tilt at the vacant Commonwealth title. Oyebola hadn't fought for eight months – the longest gap in his career to date – and it didn't seem to help him as he was stopped in the tenth. A last hurrah saw him lose a challenge for his old Southern Area belt against Julius Francis, where he was stopped in the fifth. He had recently returned to prominence in the eyes of the British boxing fan by managing classy Commonwealth light-welterweight champion, Ajose Olusegun. James Oyebola was shot in the head and leg in a courtyard at the back of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, south-west London, in the early hours of Monday. His attackers opened fire as they left the club and fled on foot. The provocation for this act of deadly lunacy appears to be that James asked some customers to stop smoking on the premises. Det Ch Insp Scott Wilson said police believe the three black suspects, aged between 19 and 25, ran from the club in separate directions. "The altercation takes place, someone pulled out a gun and shots are fired, I can imagine it was over in 20 seconds," DCI Wilson said. "It is a horrible crime to happen anywhere but over nothing - an incident such as smoking - these people need to be caught," he said. James died on Friday after his life support machine was switched off. Family and friends had gathered at his bedside to pay their last respects. A police spokesman said Mr Oyebola was pronounced dead by medical staff at New Charing Cross Hospital at 12.39pm. Scotland Yard said their investigation into the shooting is now a murder inquiry and urged witnesses to come forward. The tragically ironic thing is that the perpetrators of this vile and hideous crime will have been acting in the misguided belief that they were, somehow, protecting their ‘honour'. There is nothing honourable about this crime. James Oyebola stepping through the ring and trying to overcome an opponent using a mutually agreed set of rules is honourable. Using weapons to attack people, especially over something so utterly trivial it would be laughable if it wasn't for the very real and awful consequences, is nothing but cowardly. Behaving themselves in the first place was obviously beyond the killers. Protecting their honour in what used to be called a fair fight probably never crossed their minds. The odds are they would have been humbled rather quickly. By reputation, James was an honourable man. On the two occasions I briefly met him, his demeanour and conduct belied his ‘Big Bad' nickname. One memory of James I look back on fondly is when he was attending a show recently and I was sat ringside – the bill escapes me now. There was an empty seat in the front row of my section and James came and sat down to join a friend and watch the action. The man sat directly behind him immediately had his view almost completely obscured, much to the amusement of his friends. James turned round, realizing what the men were laughing at and just smiled an embarrassed smile, shrugged his shoulders, and raised his hands in an apologetic ‘What can I do?' motion, before returning to watch the boxing. Much to the fan's relief, he wasn't there for long. I wish he'd stayed with us a little longer.

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will be missed Nov 11th 2007, 18:01:39 by crispy100 James was a kind hearted man who treated everyone well. He will be surely missed. May the Lord bless and provide for his partner, family and children as they continue in his memory. James is and forever will be very dear to my heart. Anna xxx   JAMES OYEBOLA Aug 8th 2007, 07:45:20 by bigjoe I became a good friend of james some years ago and was up in edinburgh on holiday when i heard the tragic news as i know edinburgh was a place james never forgot, well big man you will never be far from our thoughts either. My prayers go to you and your lovely family. GOD BLESS YOU. Joe Kenneally   Missed BIG MAN RIP Aug 3rd 2007, 05:36:20 by ukibo Boxing has lost some great men , again to early in life, boxing will miss you so very much, and for me as i knew you so well, a very sad time. My love go to your family RIP big man John Mcdonald MC   Rest in peace brother Jul 27th 2007, 19:09:57 by emperor stitt God bless to James and to his family. Boxing is very definitely a community so even people, such as myself, who never met the big guy are touched by his life and certainly by the tragic circumstances of his death. My thoughts are with James' family and I pray the murderers are caught and hung out to dry. Scum bringing down a man who produces and contributes so much, it makes the heart sink. God bless to the Oyebola family, you are in my prayers.   One of boxings finest Jul 27th 2007, 14:03:28 by james ivory Rest in Peace James A champion in heaven,a champion on earth Gods a boxing fan.treat him to your 'noble art' James Ivory BBBOC inspector   James Oyebola RIP Jul 27th 2007, 13:47:40 by seconds out What a sad day. Remember James as a being a threat to anyone certainly in the earlier rounds. My sympathies go to his family who must be wondering why - i'm afraid there isn't an answer. RIP James, remembered as a champion.   RIP Jul 27th 2007, 11:43:12 by tom-podmore A really beautiful piece, Ian. The obituary really encapsulated the spirit of the every-day man and the fearsome fighter that he was in his hard-hitting prime. I never met him but only ever heard good things about him. I remember the later part of his career when I was younger – what a punch to flatten Clifton Mitchell. God rest his soul. Tom Podmore.   R.I.P Jul 27th 2007, 10:05:50 by paul mainwaring I`ll be honest here as a boxing fan,im ashamed to say i didnt know of James Oyebola but i feel compelled to comment.This cowardly act has upset me because it is such a depressing reflection of the society we live in today in the UK. Never in my life have i heard of a more mindless act of violence!! As is written in the obituary boxing is all about being honourable and trying to defeat your opponet in an honest fashion.These rats will get there punishment in due course.I believe in Karma,a good for a good and a bad for a bad. Rest in peace James and may God be with his family and friends.   RIP Jul 27th 2007, 03:34:29 by oliverfennell Excellent piece, Ian. You did justice to the man and the boxer. May he rest in peace and may his killers be caught.   RIP Jul 27th 2007, 03:34:07 by webmaster RIP Big Man. Never has a nickname been so wrong - A gentle giant who will be missed, a big man with a big heart. Kev