Hard times have become the lot of once-upon-a-time celebrated boxer, Jerry Okorodudu. The loud-mouthed pugilist who once represented Nigeria at the Olympics now lives from hand to mouth. With no academic certificate to dust up and go in search of a job and the National Sports Commission yet to recall him as a coach, the man now practically begs to survive.
Out of job for years now, his wife has become the man of the house, taking care of him and their four daughters. Things, as a matter of fact, have become so difficult for him that he had to cry out for assistance recently. According to him, anybody who wants to help him should do so now and not wait until he dies! Okorodudu is also a regular face at The National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where he comes to hustle. The erstwhile African Boxing Champion, whose fight with Joe Lasisi has never ceased to swim in controversy, even many years after, in his hey days, was dubbed the glamour boy of Nigerian boxing. He won a silver medal at the Pre-Olympics in 1984 and in 1985 was named Africa’s Best Boxer. Financial illiteracy, obviously, is the reason for his current state.