His career path is unusual and sets him apart from his peers who have made their name in the noble art in Benin. At just 15, Aristide Sagbo became African champion in his weight class for the first time. A born champion who was wisely entrusted to the late Barthélémy Adoukonou, boxing manager and promoter in Cotonou.
"For Barthélémy Adoukonou, Soweto was his protégé and his brother, because the bond between the two was immense and unmatched", says Edgard Adoukonou, son of the former boxer. Cunning, fighting spirit and courage defined the pugilist, who took the nickname Soweto in tribute to the victims of the Soweto violence in South Africa in 1976.
"Soweto left his mark on an entire nation through his art"
Aristide Sagbo left his mark on African boxing with nine fights that brought nine consecutive African titles in the super featherweight division, 58 kg and 500 g. He established himself as a great fighter through bouts won by KO. René Bèwa, a former boxing reporter at national radio station ORTB, recalls the artist's feats in the ring.
"Soweto got himself noticed and proved himself a great boxer. When he fought here in Cotonou, he came through. He hammered his opponents. In my boxing reports, I used to talk about what I call the three glorious ones, when Nazaire Kpadonou, Georges Boco (two former Beninese boxers, editor's note) and Aristide Sagbo were all African champions in the same year. So he truly deserves the praise being heaped on him, because he achieved great things", he says.
Over his whole career, Soweto fought 52 bouts, winning 51 and losing just one. African champion in 1991, he was defending his title for the third time when he lost to Nigerian Joe Orewa on 10 September 1993.
"He has an unusual record, both for his results and for his escapades. Soweto left his mark on an entire nation through his art", adds Edgard Adoukonou.
Soweto, the GOAT of Beninese boxing?
It is a debate in which everyone has their own view. While some say Aristide Sagbo may be the best boxer Benin has known, others point to illustrious fighters who also made history on the international stage.
"Aristide was the best, because the statistics were the real measure of his performance: nine times African super featherweight champion in a row, mind you", insists Barthélémy.
René Bèwa, the Beninese boxing specialist, takes a more measured view, but acknowledges the boxer's immense career.
"After Soweto, there were others, people who really made a name for themselves. There were people who fought as hard as Soweto, and perhaps even harder. It depends on everyone's opinion. There are other big names in Beninese boxing, Expédit Montcho, Pascal Zito Agbodjalou, Jean-Marie Foly, and so on. It's a question of generation."
From glory to anonymity
Soweto died aged 37 on 15 September 2000 after an illness of the blood, according to official information. Shortly before his death, the African Boxing Confederation awarded him the title of African champion for life in the super featherweight division on 1 April 2000 at the Palais des sports of the Stade de l'Amitié in Cotonou. In Benin, he did not receive the tribute his standing deserved.
"I think his memory has not been honoured as it should be. He defended the national colours. He had a promoter, the late Barthélémy Adoukonou, who was very determined that Soweto's memory be honoured. Unfortunately, that was not followed through", laments Bèwa. Tribute or not, Soweto will forever have his place in the history of Beninese boxing.
Rachidi DOSSA
