Amir Khan’s latest promotional venture was a landmark night in Lagos, Nigeria when Brandon Glanton forced Marcus Browne to retire after six brutal rounds in the wake of the headline bill “Chaos in the Ring.”
The cruiserweight bout was rated as a 50/50 shootout. However, Glanton’s relentless pressure and excellent fitness proved too much for Browne, who visibly wilted on the stool after a heated sixth session.
A show in Lagos
Glanton, now 21-3 (18 KO), promised to break Browne’s spirit before the opening bell, and he kept his word. After a powerful start, the Atlanta brawler trapped his fighter on the ropes in the second round and began body-banging. Browne, out of the ring for over two years, tried to trade but looked increasingly ragged. In the fifth bout, Glanton tormented the former delicate heavyweight contender in the clinch, and in the sixth he unleashed a barrage of hooks to end the night.
“I told you this boy would leave, I told you,” Glanton growled after the fight, rejecting a challenge for a 12-round rematch – although few will be calling for Browne to return so soon. The victory keeps Glanton’s career alive after taking a decision to Chris Billam-Smith earlier this year.
Chaos under the card
The Lagos audience also witnessed a lively, high-octane supporting cast:
And Azeeza forced a stoppage from Sulaimon Adeosun, showing malicious finishing power to extend his impressive run of form.
Taiwan is caudalwalking out to the theme music of WWE legend The Undertaker, he lit up the arena with a knockout, leaving his opponent sprawled on his back.
Osman Aslam created his own stunning finish, detonating weighty shots that ended the performance in emphatic style.
Ghana Elvis Ahorgah cleverly packaged to beat Dossou Faustin Houenou on the cards.
Khan’s African vision
While the fighters battled it out in the ring, the biggest story outside it was promoter Amir Khan. The former world champion has made no secret of his ambition to transform boxing in Africa and believes Lagos is just the starting point for a multi-city development plan that DAZN will broadcast globally if agreed.
Khan has already hinted that he will exploit his contacts to bring Anthony Joshua, Lawrence Okolie and Martin Bakole to the region on future cards, part of a wider plan to put Africa firmly back on the global boxing map.
Khan’s goal: to align Africa with an elite boxing schedule. If successful, Lagos and other African cities could soon host nights on par with those in Riyadh, London and Las Vegas.
For now, however, Glanton’s victory is history and the first sign that Khan’s bold experiment may yet change the face of African boxing.
About the author
Phil Jay is a seasoned boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. How Since 2010, editor-in-chief of World Boxing NewsJay has interviewed dozens of world champions AND reported at ringside during the most critical boxing nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.