Entertainment

REMEMBERING MIKE BAMIDELE THE AFRICAN TIGER 36 YEARS LATER.

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on July 31st, 2025.

By Ebenezer Idowu Babatunde

In Ipetu-Ijesa, a serene, peaceful and quiet town in Oriade Local Government of Osun state, when you speak the name Mike Bamidele, you’re not just recalling a man, but the living legacy of a champion who once walked the streets of this historic town.

Born in 1945 in the close-knit community, Mike Bamidele’s story is one that every corner of Ipetu still remembers fondly. As children, we would often hear the elders speak of his strength, courage, and indomitable spirit. But it’s not just a tale we know – it’s the story of one of our own.

Mike began his education at St. Mary’s Primary School, right in the heart of Ipetu-Ijesa. But like many from humble beginnings, his journey was marked by hardship. The tragic loss of his father forced him to leave school in standard four, derailing his early dreams. Yet, in those very streets of Ipetu, young Mike found a new path. Wrestling on the dusty roads with his peers, he discovered his gift for physical prowess, swiftly gaining a reputation as a fierce competitor. Those who watched him spar back then would later say, “You could see his strength even as a boy – it was like watching a lion in the bush.”

At the age of 19, Mike left his beloved town for Lagos to seek greener pastures. But even as he ventured to the city, the pride of his roots never left him. In Lagos, he started by selling electrical parts, but his heart was still drawn to the sport that had defined him since childhood. He became enamored with boxing, joining the Broadway Boxing Club, where he learned under some of the greats. But his destiny wasn’t in the Boxing.

In 1964, a new chapter in Mike’s life began, one that took him back to the sport he loved most – wrestling. After witnessing the world light heavyweight title fight between Khalil Abu Khalil and Apinosse, Mike was inspired to follow in the footsteps of the greats. That same year, he made the bold decision to leave Lagos and travel to Beirut for training. It was a move that would change not just his life, but the history of wrestling in Nigeria.

Mike Bamidele quickly mastered the art of wrestling. With every training session in Beirut, he grew stronger, more skilled, and more determined. He didn’t just learn wrestling, he became the embodiment of it. From Beirut, he began fighting across the globe, representing not just himself, but his people, and Nigeria.

He fought across Spain, France, Belgium, Cardiff, and Australia, leaving a trail of defeated opponents in his wake. One by one, names like Ray McGuine, Jon Contex of Mexico, and Steve Grey fell to Mike’s power, each knockout a testament to the strength of an Ipetu’s son. In every fight, there was something of Ipetu in his moves, the resilience of the people, the strength of that community.

By the time he transitioned from middleweight to light heavyweight, Mike Bamidele had already fought over 300 matches, earning a name as one of the fiercest competitors in the world. His crowning achievement came when he became the light heavyweight world champion, a title that cemented him as not just a wrestler, but a global icon.

Despite all his achievements on the world stage, Mike never forgot his roots. In 1979, he returned to Nigeria and became the first indigenous amateur wrestling coach, sharing his knowledge and passion with young Nigerian wrestlers. He took them across the country, introducing professional wrestling to new audiences and ensuring that the sport continued to grow in his homeland.

But even legends must rest. On December 27, 1989, Mike Bamidele passed away in his London residence, struck down by a heart attack. It was a sad day, not just for his family, but for the entire community of Ipetu-Ijesa. Our lion had left us, but his roar still echoes in the hearts of those who knew him.

In 2000, ten years after his passing, the people of Ipetu-Ijesa honored their champion when they trooped out to witness the unveiling of a statue in his memory. That day, many of us witnessed live wrestling matches for the first time and to some for the only time in their lives as many wrestlers turned up to honour the fallen hero with friendly wrestling matches at the palace square of Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa. Today this statue stands tall, a reminder that Mike Bamidele was not just a man, but a symbol of the strength, perseverance, and resilience that define Ipetu-Ijesa. Many may not know the full extent of his story, but in his hometown, we remember every step of his journey – the boy who wrestled on our streets, the man who conquered the world, and the hero who always carried Ipetu-Ijesa in his heart.

Mike Bamidele wasn’t just a wrestler. He was our wrestler, our pride, and our champion. And in every corner of Ipetu-Ijesa, his story lives on.

Babatunde Idowu Ebenezer,

The Last Wordbender®

©July, 2025