The Secret is Out: Afolabi Crowned Champion - The Era of Ola Has Begun!

With one whistling right hand, the "Best Kept Secret in Boxing" got out and newly crowned WBO Interim Cruiserweight Champion Ola "Kryptonite" Afolabi (14-1-3, 6 KOs) couldn't be happier.

"I told you!" shouted the 28-year-old transplanted Californian. "I said this would be my coming out party and that's exactly what it was!"

Although he was considered an underdog going in to his fight against former champion Enzo Maccarinelli at the M.E.N. Arena, in Manchester on Saturday night, Afolabi tore into his Welsh opponent and had him hurt a few times before a picture-perfect overhand right sent him crashing to the deck in round nine. Though he rose, Maccarinelli was ruled unable to continue; making Afolabi and his team's pre-fight statements about being the "best kept secret in boxing" seem very prophetic.

"Ola is now the most exciting and best new cruiserweight on the scene," said promoter Dino Duva. "He is ready to conquer the entire cruiserweight division, starting with the champions. This means you Giacobbe Fragomeni (WBC), Guillermo Jones (WBA), Tomasz Adamek (IBF) and Victor E. Ramirez (WBO Interim)."

Duva says he's glad the world finally knows what he has known for a long time: that Ola Afolabi has the potential to be a dominant world champion. "I congratulate Ola for his performance. He worked hard and it showed. We want to thank Enzo Maccarinelli and his promoter, Frank Warren, for giving us the opportunity to fight for the title. It was a pleasure working with them. The next step is to continue the Era of Ola by taking on one of the other world champions."

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