Godday Appah Calls Out Ben Whittaker After WBO Africa Triumph
Fresh from claiming the WBO Africa cruiserweight title, Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah has set his sights on one of boxing’s fastest‑rising names. He insists Britain’s Ben Whittaker is the opponent he wants next as he chases world honours.
Appah’s Ambition for World Glory
The newly crowned champion believes a showdown with the unbeaten British star would prove he belongs on the biggest stage and shine a brighter spotlight on Nigerian boxing.
“My next opponent [Ben Whittaker], whom I am calling out, is on a world‑class level, and I am prepared for that world‑class level. This is a world‑class platform,” Appah declared.
Why Whittaker?
Whittaker has become one of the most talked‑about fighters in world boxing. An Olympic silver medallist, he blends dazzling footwork, blistering hand speed and a flamboyant style that has made him a major attraction since turning professional.
His emphatic second‑round stoppage of Richard Rivera during his US debut further strengthened his growing profile. Coupled with an unbeaten record and the WBC Silver light‑heavyweight title, Whittaker’s pedigree is exactly why Appah wants the bout.
“People are always afraid to fight me, so I need the guys on my level,” Appah said. “Why do I call him out? Because he’s on my level, I’m on his level, and I want something that he has. I want the belt that he has. He has the WBC light heavyweight title. So I want it.”
The Nigerian is leaving little room for doubt about his confidence: “I know I can beat him, and I believe I can beat him. I am prepared for him. It doesn’t matter what people are going to say, but I can beat him. I’m calling him out… I want this fight to happen on the next card if it is possible. If he is going to accept it. I want him to come out.”
Preparation Advice for African Fighters
Beyond calling out Whittaker, Appah believes Nigerian fighters can hold their own against the world’s best if they embrace higher standards in preparation.
“With what I have experienced and what I have used that have worked for me, it’s been discipline, it’s been your nutrition and the way you train,” he said. “The way you train, the equipment you use, and the knowledge you develop every day matter. If you don’t watch the people in the world class and practice like them, you cannot perform like them.”
Appah revealed he has continually refined every aspect of his preparation in pursuit of elite‑level performance.
“So I upgrade my instincts by upgrading my nutrition and my training, my speed, my conditioning, my boxing IQ,” he noted. “So I am telling everybody that they should look more into what they eat and how they prepare so they can get into the world‑class performance level.”
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