The heavyweight division is on notice. Standing at a towering 6ft 8ins, the German-born-Nigerian Emanuel Odiase obliterated Idris Afinni in Lagos, Nigeria, in a statement that instantly pushed his name into conversations about the sport’s most dangerous new forces.
Guided by Anthony Joshua‘s management team at 258, Odiase is not a solo act — he’s a carefully developed powerhouse with the backing of a two-time world champion who knows the business inside out. And when Joshua’s banner produces a talent of this size, speed, and ferocity, the rest of the division has no choice but to take notice.
Lagos Knockout in Africa
Odiase didn’t just beat Afinni. He bulldozed him, scoring three knockdowns inside the opening session before the referee intervened. The sheer dominance wasn’t just about a win — it signaled a turning point for African boxing. Nigeria has long cried out for a new hero, and Odiase’s thunderous debut on home soil proved there’s real substance behind the hype.
Industry chatter has already begun around Lagos hosting more big cards under Amir Khan’s AK Promotions. The appetite is there, the fan base is passionate, and with Odiase delivering knockouts like this, the continent suddenly looks primed to re-enter the heavyweight conversation.
Emanuel Odiase puts Idris Afinni DOWN THREE TIMES in ROUND ONE!! 🤯#GlantonBrowne x #ChaosInTheRing | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/SywF3XofsQ
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) October 1, 2025
Comparisons to Other Young Giants
The knockout inevitably sparks comparisons with other youthful heavyweights. Richard Torrez Jr. in the U.S. and Moses Itauma in the UK often get touted as the future. However, neither brings the same combination of freakish size and continental backing that Odiase now represents. He’s being tipped to headline again in Africa before stepping into brighter lights — a calculated path that could put him in line for world honors before the end of the decade.
Joshua’s Protégé, Africa’s Hope
With Joshua pulling strings behind the scenes, UK-based Odiase has the kind of infrastructure most young heavyweights can only dream of. Where his rivals rely on established markets, Odiase is spearheading a new one — a push to make Africa not just a birthplace of fighters but a hub for global events.
This latest performance won’t be the last time his name rings across the division. At 6ft 8ins, heavy-handed, and backed by AJ’s machine, Odiase isn’t a prospect anymore. He’s the heavyweight powerhouse the division must fear at 9-0 with 8 KOs.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.