Nigerian boxer Wahab vows comeback after devastating KO in Usyk-Fury undercard

Nigerian boxer Joshua Wahab, who was left needing oxygen inside the ring after a brutal first-round knockout by Mark Chamberlain on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has vowed to bounce back after his devastating defeat.

WBO Africa Super Featherweight champion Wahab was torn apart in the opening minutes of their bout on the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk undercard.

He was unable to keep up with Chamberlain’s lightning start as the Brit extended his record to 16-0 to claim the WBC Silver Lightweight belt.

A devastating early combination saw the Portsmouth fighter win the fight before the bell had even rung to end the first round.

Accra-based Wahab was left on the canvas while the referee stepped in to bring the fight to an early end.

The scenes inside the ring then took a turn as the 33-year-old’s team quickly surrounded him and hooked him up to an oxygen mask to ensure he was okay.

Fortunately, he was able to sit up and appeared to avoid any complications after the heavy hits.

Reacting on his X handle after the fight, Wahab described his defeat as “unfortunate”, and vowed to return to the ring stronger.

He wrote, “Alihamduliah to all my lovely African brothers and sisters. It’s rather unfortunate I couldn’t make you proud.

“I just want you all to know am doing fine and I will bounce back stronger. Thank you #DiBellaEnt for the great opportunity.”

Wahab’s record has now taken a hit, as the first round knockout was his second career loss — leaving his record at 23-2.

He has lost two of his last three fights after he succumbed to a split decision defeat by another Brit Liam Dillon back in 2022.

Chamberlain said he had expected a better performance from his Nigerian foe but what was left stunned as the fight ended in the first round.

“I thought I was in for a hard night, but look what I have just done in the first round,” Chamberlain told TNT Sports Box Office.

“He (Wahab) was out on his feet, I then thought I had to be a bit wary, but the second (punch) blew him away.

“I hope to be back in Riyadh to keep pushing on and pleasing. I want to keep winning.”