Wrestling
Balla Gaye Off to France For 3-month Training Ahead of Modou Lo Fight
Balla Gaye has left for France for intensive training ahead of his clash with Modou Lo in the Senegalese arena.
Balla Gaye has left for France for intensive training ahead of his must-watch clash with Modou Lo in the Senegalese arena.
The two will square up on 1st January 2019 in what is being dubbed as a “clash of the decade” by the media in the West African speaking country.
The encounter staged by Max Mbaragane, a rich promoter-turned politician, it will be the pair’s second meeting after the first in 2009.
Guediawaye-based Gaye emerged the winner in that thrilling encounter on a night that saw the former Senegalese King of Arena make a grand entrance into the Stade Demba Diop on board a helicopter.
Christened Omar Sakho and likened to Mayweather for his controversial nature and provocative remarks, Balla wrapped that show in 19 seconds subjecting his adversary to his first career defeat.
Photo: Balla here routs Modou lo in their first meeting in 2009
The build-up to that fight was marred by chaotic scenes and hatred between the two as supporters of both camps clashed.
It reached a time that the president (former) Abdoulaye Wade had to intervene, forcing the duo into signing a truce before national Tv, vowing never to fight again.
Lo’s animosity’s for Gaye grew – despite the peace deal – and made several references of that defeat as his biggest career regret and has urged his rival for a rematch many times.
Balla had always taunted him in return with comments usually peppered with sarcasm.
The duo has had different career paths ever since, with Balla going on to be feted King of the Arena in 2012 after he humiliated an unbeaten Yekini.
He only defended that crown once against Tapha Tine in 2013 before losing it to Bombardier a year later in a shocking loss.
However, the 31-year-old has now flown to Paris over the weekend where he will be training under strict conditions and supervised by four different professional coaches.
In a recent face-to-face meeting, the stars seem to have changed strategy and learned a lesson from their previous tussle with both playing it cool to avert bloodshed or clashes between towns.
A short youtube video link of that epic quick fight in 2009:
