Muay Thai: Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta, one last round

One last fight for pride

ISKA K1 intercontinental champion Mamoudou Kéita will defend his title in Conakry (Guinea). After a successful career spanning more than 20 years, including world and intercontinental titles, the Guinean fighter is about to have his final fight in his home country. "It is a source of pride to defend your title in front of your own fans. It will be a first and also a last in my rich career," the boxer says happily. He adds: "I promised that anyone who wanted to take my champion's belt would have to come to Guinea. And now that dream has come true. I feel ready to take up the challenge. And I will do it with the support of the people of Guinea,"  says Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta.

Describing himself as the most decorated Guinean athlete of all time, he is climbing back into the ring one final time, in front of his own fans. It is a first in his rich career, and he hopes to use it to make the Guinean public proud. "This joy that drives me is indescribable. Coming back to fight at home, it doesn't get any better," says Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta. He goes on: "I promise to make the people of Guinea, who give me so much support, proud," the fighter continues. Throughout his career, the champion regrets the lack of media coverage of his journey. He shares an anecdote that will stay with him forever. "In 2000, when I travelled to competitions in Seoul (South Korea) or Japan, for example, they would get a woman with a violin to play the Guinean anthem, Liberté, because they couldn't find a recording," the fighter reveals.

"I want to make the people of Guinea proud"

After several successes on the international stage, the Guinean fighter, who had dreamed of retiring in his native country, sees that wish come true. Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta is climbing into the ring for the 110th time and in the 45th country. And this time it is in Guinea, the land of his birth. With Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) as his role model, the fighter vows to retain his title in front of a crowd firmly behind him. "I am the best. It will be a hard-fought bout. I promise to win by the third round at the latest. At almost 40, I have put one of my belts on the line. It may seem crazy. But doing it at home, you feel like you have wings," says the optimistic champion. He adds: " For all these years, I fought away from my homeland and without the support of the people. Now that I can do it in front of them, all I have to do is make them proud. And I hope to win this fight as early as possible," says Mamoudou Axcel Kéita. Nicknamed the Guinean Terminator, he does not intend to pull his punches. He promises to get the better of his opponent. And to underline that, he does not hesitate to mention one of his records. "I have prepared well for this fight. It is the last of my career. My fastest KO is 12 seconds. My opponent will last until the third round at most," the champion promises.

This final fight is also a battle of mind over body, the champion explains. "At 40, I still want to carry on with my career. But unfortunately the body no longer keeps up. My body is worn out after all these fractures over the years," says Axcel Kéïta.

Read also: Muay Thai - Mamoudou "Axcel" Kéita: "I am the best"

With a record of 73 wins, 44 of them by KO, 31 defeats and 5 draws, Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta has an impressive résumé. Dutch champion in 2007; Benelux champion in 2008; WFCA European champion in 2009 and 2010; ISKA light-heavyweight world champion (2018); ISKA heavyweight world champion (2020); ISKA intercontinental champion (2021 and 2022), Mamoudou Axcel Kéïta has written one of the finest chapters in Guinean sporting history. One last win in front of his own fans can only enhance his legend.

Mamadou Gongorè DIALLO