Ryan Seakolo: The Eclipse

Despite having only started his professional boxing career last year, Ryan ‘Eclipse’ Seakolo has shown early signs of developing into a formidable boxer. Seakolo has a 100 percent record in his career so far and the boxer is slowly becoming a force to be reckoned.

 
The 25- year -old has participated in three professional fights and won all three. His first fight was won through a knockout, the second through the points system and the most recent one held a fortnight ago where he defeated Nkosinathi Sibuthi through a technical knockout (TKO).

 
Seakolo’s passion for boxing as a youngster made him pursue his dream in 2004. Born in Toromoja, Seakolo became a regular participant during his junior school days at Rakops Junior Secondary School.
He continued his fledgling boxing ambition at Letlhakane Senior Secondary School and the Orapa Boxing Club. Seakolo participated in the Botswana Integrated Sports Associations (BISA) competitions in 2006 and 2007 where he earned silver medals in both competitions.
In 2008 he joined the Glen Valley Boxing Club to continue his amateur boxing career. He told this publication that he participated in almost 13 fights per year to intensify his fitness and to make a name for himself in amateur boxing.

 
His exploits alerted the attention of boxing trainer Larona Francis who became his mentor; as a result he took the professional route in 2013.
“I turned professional in 2013 after being discovered by Francis. He has been my trainer for a while. I have also worked with a South African based trainer named Elliot Mjele. My first fight was tough because I was a newcomer to the professional boxing environment but the second one against Zimkhitha Lyn was even harder because of his experience. However, I managed to win the fight on the points rule. My recent fight was also challenging but I was focused and managed to prevail again,” said Seakolo.

 
“I have always aspired to be a professional boxer and I am delighted to have made my dream a reality. Other people who have been influential in my career are Herbert Nkabiti and Thuso ‘Scud’ Khubamang. Larona Francis gave me the nickname Eclipse because of my fighting style, he says that I always overpower, evade and dominate my opponents,” Seakolo concluded.

 
Francis, his manager and trainer, said, “I spotted him while he was at the Glen Valley Boxing Club as well as the national team. I managed to negotiate deals for him to compete in East London and he has done well. He has a bright future and  I am sure that by the time he reaches the age of 30 he would have accomplished a lot.”

 
The trainer concluded by mentioning that more fights will be lined up for Seakolo before the end of the year. Meanwhile,  he urged companies to invest in the talented boxer for promotional and sponsorship purposes.