Albert & Duran battle to draw

NEW YORK CITY (September 23, 2008) – Two-time Nigerian Olympian Eromosele “Bad Boy” Albert and Ghana-native Ossie Duran (23-6-1, 9 KOs) fought to a 12-round draw in their IBF Continental Africa light middleweight title bout last night (Tuesday, September 23), headlining an abbreviated “KnockOut Poverty” pro boxing card, presented by Bob Duffy’s Ring Promotions, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan.

“KnockOut Poverty” was a landmark event to help fight poverty in Africa. Grammy Award winning, UN Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N’Dour and friends were among the many stars appearing for the historic evening of entertainment, music and boxing. N’Dour and other African musical legends performed between fights with proceeds from the event going to the All For Africa charitable organization.

Albert (21-2-1, 10 KOs) and Duran (23-6-2, 9 KOs), former Commonwealth light middleweight and welterweight champion, fought toe-to-toe for 12 rounds, in which, the judges scored 117-111 for Albert, 116-112 for Duran, and 114-114. The IBF Continental Africa light middleweight title remains vacant.

“We are warriors,” Duran commented after the fight. “You don’t usually see that type of fight. But that was a robbery. I won the fight. He wasn’t scoring; I was all night with my jab.”

Before storming out of the ring Albert rhetorically asked, “How was that fight a draw?”

Among the dignitaries attending the show were former light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson and IBF bantamweight title-holder Joseph Agbeko.

All For Africa All For Africa (“A4A”) is a non-profit organization that serves as a platform for individuals, corporations and other organizations to actively get involved in, design and coordinate economically sustainable projects in Africa. All for Africa believes that the quickest route to realizing Africa’s true potential is through the effective collaboration between the “for profit” and the non-profit stakeholders in Africa’s future.

RESULTS FROM NEW YORK CITY (Hammerstein Ballroom)

LIGHT MIDDLEWEIGHTS

Eromosele Albert (21-2-1, 10 KOs), Nigeria 12D (117-111, 112-116, 114-114) Ossie Duran (23-6-2, 9 KOs), Ghana ( IBF Intercontinental Africa Light Middleweight Championship remained vacant)