Date of Birth: 10/11/1978

Age Started Boxing: 12

Amateur Record: 85 fights

Professional Record: 20-2 (10 KO's)

Favourite Current Fighter: "Sugar" Shane Mosley.

All-Time Fighter: James "Lights Out" Toney

Favourite All-Time Fight: Shane Mosley vs Oscar De La Hoya

Favourite Music: Rap, Hip Hop and R&B

Favourite Movie/s: Roots

Job Outside of Boxing: Personal Trainer

Pre-fight Meal: Egusi "African Meal

Toughest Part about being a fighter: It has been said that I eat, sleep & breathe boxing... I guess it's true, I cannot find a negative point to add.

Toughest Opponent Faced: I am yet to find one.

What's your training routine before a fight like:

I do my usual training, but add sparring and extra jogging in the mix. I always train 2 weeks, and have 2 days of rest, so I have 14 days straight training and the 15th and 16th day off.

What made you decide to stay in Australia and not decide to return to Nigeria after the 2000 Sydney Olympics:

I was approached and offered a contract to stay on; as were a few other African fighters; that was when the "African Kings" was formed. After my 7th pro fight I won the Australian Welterweight title, I was then approached by the Mundine camp and offered a contract, which brought me to Sydney in 2002..

Australia only has limited opportunities and a small stock of boxers compared to America and the United Kingdom. Would you base yourself in America to see how far you could go and what you could achieve in boxing:

I take each day as it comes. Australia has alot of talent at 140. I would love to be given the opportunity to fight Australia's Best, but given the opportunity I would love to follow in the other Aussie boxers that have made it in the world arena.

You have been in Australia for nearly ten years and you average three fights a year. Is boxing just a hobby for you and do you have a full time job:

As I said earlier, boxing is my life. If I could fight every week I would. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to choose my opponent. I take each fight that comes my way, I have never said no to a fight, the opposite actually. I have even taken fights at 2 days notice. My last fight I was bed ridden for 2 weeks, I fought on the night with a severe fever. It is the love of the sport that got me out of bed and in the ring.

Solomon Egberime is not a very well-known name in Australia. How do you think you can make it one and achieve all the goals that you would like to in boxing:

Maybe you can give me the advice I need to achieve this one day. As every time I step into the ring I try and entertain the boxing fans, so maybe u can give me an insider's advice on how to turn things around and have people know my name?

You are not really known as a puncher, more of a classy boxer. Do you think your style will attract the big money if you eventually get a world title shot:

My style is unique, and it is a crowd pleasing style. I feel I've got the skills to pay the bills.

Being a boxing critic and seeing you have only had twenty-two fights in nine years as a professional, it looks to me that boxing is just a sideline for you. How do you account for your inactivity:

As I said earlier, I would fight each week if I was given the opportunity.

Who are the Australian boxers that you would like to fight:

As I said earlier, I'm not saying im the best, but I'm willing to fight the best. I will step into the ring with any one that is in my weight class. Ive never knocked back a challenge; I dropped down in weight as I felt there was more opportunity and talent in the 140 pound division.

Would you be interested in moving up a division to challenge Australian welterweight champion Oyewale Omotoso who is a fellow Nigerian like yourself. This would be a great matchup between a great boxer like yourself and a big puncher with Omotoso:

I still consider myself the Aussie champ, as it is a title I never lost in the ring. However, I am proud for anyone who trains hard and carries the title proud. Omotoso is a fellow Nigerian and I consider him my brother, so I am extra proud that he is the new champ.

Lance Gostelow has the WBO Oriental title and is now fighting for the WBO African title against Nigerian Fatai Onikeke in a very big Melbourne matchup. Who do you think will win and why:

One thing I can tell you, the better man will be victorious. I find it strange that lance is interested in the WBO African title, as he is already the WBO Oriental champ, which gives him the top 14 ranking. I would have thought he would defend his title? Good luck to both men.

Would you issue a formal challenge to the winner?

I am the number 1 contender for both titles; I would love to be given the opportunity to fight for either title.

Two names that you have asked to fight several times are Lenny Zappavigna and Lance Gostelow. Who do you think would be a harder opponent for you out of those two talented fighters:

I am good friends with Lance, and I think we would be a great match up. "Oscar can't beat Shane" that should say it all. In relation to Lenny, he is young and talented, I believe he has skills....but I have fought his style of fighter a million times. Both fights will be interesting, I would fight either of them in a heartbeat; it's a fight the Australian public deserves to watch.

Why do you think that many Australian fighters have not stepped into the ring to fight you even though you are the Australian champion:

I cannot answer for any other man.

Australia has had a large amount of African imports over the years.. Who do you think has been the most influential import and has made the best name for themselves and why:

Lovemore Ndou, my hat comes off for Lovemore.

If your child wanted to enter the ring and become a fighter like their father, would you encourage them or would you rather your son play another sport. Why or Why not:

Im not sure if you have noticed my son; but from a newborn he has yet to miss a fight of mine, at six months of age he was at my fight versus Samuel Colomban and he has yet to miss one. Unfortunately, I believe he is showing way too much interest in this sport, he is 2 years old and has never been interested in watching cartoons... boxing is his show of choice. He is only 2; he has his whole life to find what makes him happy.

Do you regard yourself as a Nigerian living in Australia or as an Australian Nigerian:

You can take the kid out of the ghetto, but you can't take the ghetto out of the kid.