Dick Tiger: The Life and Times of Africa's Most Accomplished World Boxing Champion is the first full length book on the Nigerian born, three-time world boxing champion, Richard Ihetu, aka Dick Tiger, following nearly three decades after his death in December 1971.
The concise biography places Dick Tiger’s still unparalleled international success as a professional African boxer in historical perspective, side by side with his selfless and courageous partisan role in the Nigerian-Biafran Civil War, for which he virtually sacrificed all that he had struggled for and earned.
Chronicled herein, for the first time ever in a book dedicated solely to the subject's life and times, are the fascinating facts regarding his humble origins and social background in pre-colonial Nigeria, his rise, following professional sojourns in England and America, to world prominence and acclaim in boxing, his eventual fall from grace due to his principled stand on the war and finally, the circumstances surrounding his untimely death at age 41.
Details, statistics and a fight-by-fight professional record of the subject, painstakingly assembled by the author over a five-year research period are presented in meticulous, but straightforward and easy to read fashion.
This book enriches the presently limited biographical literature on modern African sporting legends and heroes. Thus it will make delightful reading for everyone with an interest or desire to learn more about the positive images of the continent.
"...(This book is) a timely and welcome contribution in Nigeria's ongoing soul search for purpose and for a more perfect federation...The author...succeeds in reminding us of our capacity for greatness, both individually (in the case of Richard Ihetu) and collectively as a nation."
Chief Achike Udenwa
Executive Governor, Imo State, Nigeria
"If there was ever a neglected hero who deserved a biography, it is former middleweight and light heavyweight champion Dick Tiger. The gentleman warrior from Nigeria was much more than a great boxer, he was a great man"
Nigel Collins
Editor -In-Chief, The Ring Magazine
"...his prizes and purses neither changed him nor compelled him to abandon his principles....Dick Tiger deserves our respect and honour for the dignity he singlehandedly brought to Nigeria..."
Ambassador Joe Keshi
Consul General of Nigeria, Atlanta
"...(Dick Tiger was) as noble as it is possible to find in boxing. I enjoyed the story - the narration glides from his exploits in the ring, to a sympathetic exposition of his courage when faced with a choice between Nigeria and Biafra."
Chike Momah
Author of the Biafran Maid in Geneva
About the Author
Adedamola Ifaturoti was born in Lagos Nigeria. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) Ile-Ife Nigeria. He has also undergone a Continuing Studies Program in Computer Networking (Windows NT 4.0 Server) at the Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
'Damola worked with a leading book publishing house in Nigeria for over a decade, serving in various editorial and administrative capacities from 1987 till 1998 when he resigned to relocate to the United States with his family. He was for five years, (1991 to 1996), Editor-in-Chief of The Publisher, official journal of the Nigerian Publishers Association (NPA).
'Damola has been an avid writer whose writings have spanned a wide range of themes and subjects. They include commentary on various contemporary political issues, essays on corporate and professional topics relating to the book publishing industry in Africa and articles on popular international sporting figures and events. He has been published in national, regional and international news mediums including The Nigerian Guardian, Lagos, The African Publishing Review: official organ of the African Publishers Network (APNET) Harare Zimbabwe, The Bellagio Publishing Network Newsletter, Oxford UK and The Ring Magazine, U.S.A.
'Damola presently lives with his family in Plainsboro, New Jersey U.S.A. and serves as a member of the Editorial Group of Africa World Press/Red Sea Press, Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
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