The highly anticipated international boxing mega event in Equatorial Guinea, which had been postponed several times due to an injury suffered by star Souleymane Sissoko, will finally take place on May 10 in the city of Sipopo, Bioko Island, the same location originally planned. In this fight, Sissoko will defend his world champion title for the second time against Latvian Egidijus Kavaliauskas, a high-caliber matchup that has captured international attention.
Souleymane Sissoko, who won the title in 2022 by majority decision against Tulani Mbenge, has successfully defended his title once and is now preparing to face Kavaliauskas, who enters with a record of 24 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, along with 19 knockouts. Sissoko, for his part, holds an undefeated record of 17 wins and 9 knockouts. The fight promises to be a high-level contest, with both boxers looking to establish themselves as major figures in world boxing.
Equatorial Guinea: major international boxing event canceled after Sissoko’s injury
On the eve of the originally scheduled fight date, Sissoko held a press conference in Malabo, where he explained the reasons behind the postponement and updated the media on his physical condition. The boxer, who suffered a broken arm during training, assured that his recovery has been successful and that he is ready to step into the ring. “I feel strong and ready to defend my title against a great opponent like Kavaliauskas,” Sissoko stated after receiving medical clearance to compete.
The event in Sipopo represents a strategic opportunity to position Equatorial Guinea as a new hub for major international sporting events. With a fight of this caliber, the country aims to attract the attention of media, sponsors, and fans from around the world, solidifying its presence in the global boxing circuit.
Despite the challenges that led to the initial postponement, Sissoko has reaffirmed his commitment to the development of boxing in Equatorial Guinea. During his stay in the country, he has actively collaborated with the National Boxing Federation and contributed equipment to support local sports infrastructure. With his involvement and the upcoming fight, Equatorial Guinea is taking a significant step toward strengthening its position in the international boxing scene.
