LADI THE AFRICAN TIGER: FROM THE PRO WRESTLING RING TO THE THRONE AS KING
Interview with the world renowned Pro Wrestling Legend and former world champion and title holder who is now a Nigerian first class King of high repute, His Royal Highness King James Oladipo Buremoh, Aroko Ola Ajagungbade 1, Onidere of Idera Kingdom, Idera, Kwara State.
Can you please tell our readers your real name and ring name sir.
My names are HRH Oba James Oladipo Aroko Ola Buremoh Ajagungbade 1, the Onidera of Idera who was once upon a time known in the professional wrestling world as LADI THE AFRICAN TIGER.
How did you come about your ring name?
You asked me how I came by my wrestling name, huuuuummmmmmm. You see when I first started wrestling in USA, I was introduced by my real name OLADIPO but you can imagine how a white man would pronounce that. I was asked to find a ring name that would be catchy and so many names were suggested but finally I settled for the African Tiger because of my boxing hero Dick Tiger.
How did you start your sport career?
In the early 60s, I attended primarily and tertiary institutions in Nigeria during which time I was a very active sportsman. As a matter of fact, my testimonial in high school reads “An all rounder in Sports.” I was like what you’d call a triathlete because I really excelled in basketball, volleyball, shot putting and weight lifting representing Kwara State in national competitions.
You are a pro wrestling superstar for many years internationally. How did you come to the decision to be a pro wrestler?
While in school in the United States of America, I continued being active in sports, especially weightlifting, and ventured into American football upon graduation, though I did not make it to the professional cadre. So I worked for Shell Oil in Texas but continued in active weightlifting. Being an ardent lover of professional wrestling, I never missed an event, so one day at a wrestling match at the Houston Coliseum in 1981, I was discovered by the wrestling legend Ernie Ladd known as “The Big Cat” who eventually convinced me to train to become a professional wrestler. Initially I was reluctant but eventually gave in and the rest is now history.
How was your start in wrestling and where did you start from?
Back then, pro wrestling was big into calisthenics and the Greco-Roman style and competition was very kin. Believe me I really had great fun traveling all over. I was in the company of great wrestlers like Cowboy Bill Watts who owned the outfit I worked for, Mid South Wrestling. Ernie Ladd of course, Wahoo McDaniel, Dusty Rhodes, Jake The Snake Roberts, Rocky Johnson, Tony Atlas, Junkyard Dog, Ox Baker, Kamala, Michael Hayes, The Freebirds and many more.
Which were your major fights that you can never forget easily? At where and when?
I had the great pleasure to learn from and work with the best in the game for years but in 1985, an unfortunate incident occurred on my way from a contest in Tulsa, Oklahoma going to Oklahoma City. I was involved in a car accident, a deer jumped out in front of the car and I suffered broken ribs which I did not know at the time but went ahead to fight the following night. During the contest, my opponent, who was Robert Steiner [editors note: likely Rick Steiner}, gave me a super body power slam which caused my already broken ribs to collapse and punctured my lungs. That was the eye opener that made me decide to bring my trade back to my father land in 1986 after my full recovery. This was a major fight I can never forget.
Were you accepted back home by the family members when they got to know you are a wrestler?
It was very difficult to secure acceptance from my family members then because they thought it was a dangerous sport but eventually they came around to give me the needed support which made me excel in the sport.
African Tiger with Michael Hayes
Your Royal Highness, when you look at your time in pro-wrestling competing as a wrestler or as a promoter can you share some highlights with us?
I floated a promotional outfit BUREMOH INTERNATIONAL PROMOTIONS under which all my contests in Nigeria were promoted with constant advice from my mentor, the great Power Mike, who had his outfit at Alhaji Masha in Surulere then. I brought in all the great world athletes in the sport then in USA to Nigeria and we indeed had great events then. I also mentored a number of upcoming Nigerian wrestlers who also participated in all the contests we had then all over Nigeria over a period of years, wrestlers like Lion Power, Abbey King, Ali King, even Morris Atula (now based in the UK) participated in one of the contests at the National Stadium Main Bowl, Surulere in Lagos and many other great Nigerian talents.
His Royal Highness King James Oladipo Buremoh in his palace
Almost at the same time you were reigning was Power Mike too, any affiliation with him locally or internationally?
Power Mike was my great mentor who I learnt a lot from. I was always seeking his advice then and with open hands, he was there for me.
Which was your most memorable match?
MY most memorable fight of course was in 1988 when I won the world heavyweight wrestling championship in a fight against the flamboyant wrestling legend Michael Hayes in the presence of my kinsmen with full federal government representation at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos. It was a day I can never forget and will always forever glorify God for.
From the wrestling ring to the throne as a king. How did it happen?
In 2004 I was summoned by my family to come and ascend the throne of my forefathers. Being the baby of a family of 9 with 7 males, it was an incredibly difficult decision for me to make considering what I thought I would be giving up. Little did I know that rendering service to humanity would be the most rewarding thing I will ever do because seeing the smile and satisfaction on the faces of my people is so priceless.
Where do you see Nigerian pro wrestling in the next five years?
I foresee professional wrestling becoming a big thing in Nigeria if we shun self centeredness and work together, bring in corporate bodies to actively participate in the promotions like it’s done in the western world, we cannot depend on government to do it as we know it’s only football that our government is interested in because it is politicized. I do advise aspiring wrestling talents to keep working hard towards their goals because tenacity is what translates into greatness. Keep working hard and one day your dreams will become reality. I never gave up even in the face of many adversities and to the glory of the Almighty, I achieved.
What advice do you have for intending wrestlers and upcoming talents in our part of the world?
Boys to Men……. keep dreaming big and keep working hard because there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Do not allow anyone to tell you that you cannot achieve, they are not God.
We know you still have lots of fans worldwide. What do you have to say to your fans?
To my teeming fans world over, I say a big thank you and I will forever be grateful for the love and support. Always, even up till now as a Royal father, it’s been quite overwhelming. Believe me, you make me tick, God bless you all.
On your family?
I would be doing a great disservice though if I didn’t acknowledge my greatest tag team partner apart from God, the person who doubles as my wife, mother, sister, friend, partner, adviser, mother of my children and my God sent angel, Olori Roseline Abosede Ajoke Buremoh, who has been there for me through thick and thin, most especially piloting the affairs of the community and making sure the children are raised correctly and with the fear of God. Also my loving children who had to give up a lot while growing up because their father was not around, as I tell myself “the end justifies the means.” I apologize greatly and hope you can forgive me, I was only working to fulfill my destiny. Whoever knew the Diipo who was always beaten up by everyone in primary school would become a World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and then a KING for that matter, it was nobody but God.
My greatest joy and reason for my immense appreciation to the Almighty is that He kept me shielded and protected through the many ring accidents so that I was able to fulfil my dreams of being a great representative and Ambassador for my family, my community IDERA for which I am now the chief servant, and my great nation Nigeria during my many international contests.
Oba Buremoh with Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi ,The Oni of Ife, at the World pedestal the UNITED NATIONS at the commemoration of NELSON MANDELA DAY
I am also immensely grateful for the honor and opportunity to represent my country in the company of the Most Revered Monarch in Nigeria, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, The Oni of Ife, at the world pedestal the UNITED NATIONS at the commemoration of NELSON MANDELA DAY from 2016 to DATE. Aspire to be great, dream big and work hard, never relent because you never know when luck might decide yo smile on you. TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.
