Britain (Brussels Morning) – In a night that will be remembered as a breakthrough moment for both African boxing and Equatorial Guinea’s place on the global sporting map, Souleymane Cissokho defeated Lithuanian contender Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a thrilling WBC welterweight title eliminator, despite being knocked down twice in the early rounds.
Held at the Centre de Conférence de Sipopo in Malabo, the high-stakes bout was the first WBC eliminator of this caliber ever staged in Equatorial Guinea—an event that marks a new chapter in the country’s sports diplomacy and international visibility.
Cissokho, the French-Senegalese fighter and Olympic medalist, faced danger early, hitting the canvas in the second round and again in the fifth—where an uppercut even sent him tumbling outside the ropes. But the undefeated boxer displayed poise and grit under pressure. Drawing on his technical skill and mental toughness, Cissokho recovered, controlling the second half of the fight with pinpoint jabs and agile movement.
Judges scored the match 114–112, 115–111, and 116–110 in his favor, improving his professional record to 18-0 with 9 knockouts. The win officially makes Cissokho the WBC’s mandatory challenger for the world title, currently held by Mario Barrios.
Equatorial Guinea’s Sporting Moment
The bout was more than just a victory for Cissokho—it was a national triumph for Equatorial Guinea. Organized by Jérôme Abiteboul and Hassan Obiang, the event drew international attention and showcased the country’s capacity to host top-tier sporting competitions with professionalism and flair.
From the arena’s flawless logistics to the warm hospitality shown to global media and sports officials, Equatorial Guinea made a strong case to become a destination for international boxing and other high-level sports. The crowd in Malabo matched the energy of any global fight city, demonstrating that Africa—and Equatorial Guinea in particular—can deliver world-class sporting experiences.
Cissokho’s dramatic comeback and the success of the event underscore a broader movement: the return of world boxing to the African continent. For years, African fighters have been forced to chase recognition abroad. Now, the ring is coming home.
Equatorial Guinea’s bold move to host this WBC eliminator may pave the way for more championships, training camps, and sports investment across the region. It is a powerful statement of intent: Africa is not only producing champions—it is ready to crown them on its own soil.
What Comes Next?
All eyes now turn to the WBC title picture. With his victory in Malabo, Cissokho is poised for a shot at glory. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea has proven that with vision, infrastructure, and passion, it can compete with traditional sports capitals.
In the words of one fan at ringside: “This was more than a fight. It was history in motion—for boxing, for Africa, and for Equatorial Guinea.”
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