Watch the video of Nigerian Hogan Kid Bassey mercilessly battling Algerian Frenchman Cherif Hamia before winning the 1957 world title. If you were born between the 1980s and early 2000s, you have probably heard of Hogan Kid Bassey, mostly from your parents who were born between 1950 and 1970.
During this period, any Nigerian, especially in the Cross River State region, who flaunted his strength or muscle was certainly called Hogan Bassey. He was born Okon Asuquo Bassey on the banks of the Cross River in Creek Town, Calabar, Nigeria and became a naturalized Briton after moving to the United Kingdom, where he lived most of his life in Liverpool.
When he became a professional boxer, he took the name Kid Bassey. He made Nigeria proud and retained his Nigerian nationality even during his struggles in the United Kingdom.