{{short description|British boxer (born 1996)}} {{Use British English|date=November 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Infobox boxer | name = David Bankole Adeleye | image = | caption = | real_name = David Bankole Adeleye | nickname = Big D | weight = Heavyweight | height = 6 ft 4+1/2 in | reach = | nationality = British<br>French | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|11|16|df=y}} | birth_place = London, England | style = Orthodox | total = 16 | wins = 14 | KO = 13 | losses = 2 | draws = }}
'''David Bankole Adeleye'''<ref>''Births, Marriages & Deaths Index of England & Wales, 1984–2004.'' Gives name at birth as "David Olanrewaju Adeleye".</ref> (born 16 November 1996) is a British-French<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/news/carlos-adames-family-tree-harry-pamela-haitian-italian/aaecb2b51ddfeb39866a3d64|title=David Adeleye family tree: Meet dad Harry, mom Pamela, siblings and more from Nigerian, French roots|date=3 September 2025|quote=My mum is British-French and, my dad is Nigerian}}</ref> professional boxer. At regional level, he held the British heavyweight title in 2025 and challenged once for the Commonwealth title in 2023.
==Early life== Adeleye was born on 16 November 1996 in London, England, Adeleye is the son of Nigerian-French parents who hailed from Ikole in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Adeleye holds both Nigerian and French citizenship from his parents.<ref name="University">{{cite web|url=https://newspotng.com/122408-2/|title=23-year old Ekiti Boy Looks Up To World Heavy Weight Champion By Adewale Adeoye|work=Newspot Nigeria|last=Adeoye|first=Adewale|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/las-vegas-raiders/news/carlos-adames-family-tree-harry-pamela-haitian-italian/aaecb2b51ddfeb39866a3d64|title=David Adeleye family tree: Meet dad Harry, mom Pamela, siblings and more from Nigerian, French roots|date=3 September 2025|quote=My mum is British-French and, my dad is Nigerian}}</ref> Adeleye's parents never wished for him to go into professional boxing until he had at least finished higher-education.<ref name=University/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/boxing/david-adeleye-interview-tyson-fury-heavyweight-boxing-news-a4416226.html|title=23-year old Ekiti Boy Looks Up To World Heavy Weight Champion By Adewale Adeoye|work=Evening Standard|last=Morgan|first=Tony|date=April 17, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> When Adeleye was growing up, he admired Lennox Lewis, Muhammad Ali and Roy Jones Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proboxing-fans.com/one-to-watch-david-adeleye/|title=One To Watch: David Adeleye|work=Pro Boxing Fans|last=Nagioff|first=Jonathan|date=April 16, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref>
==Amateur career== Adeleye began boxing at the Dale Youth Club, at the age of 14, under the tutelage of Gary McGuiness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxing-social.com/interviews/exclusive-david-adeleye-life-bigger-boxing/|title=EXCLUSIVE: David Adeleye – "Life: Bigger Than Boxing…"|work=Boxing Social|last=Scott|first=Craig|date=January 18, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> He became Junior ABA champion in 2013, and winning the Senior ABA Novices in 2017 before winning the Senior ABA title in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/david-adeleye-enters-heavyweight-mix-with-frank-warren--140790|title=David Adeleye Enters The Heavyweight Mix With Frank Warren|work=Boxing Scene|last=<!-- staff -->|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Nationalchamps/England2013j.html|title=English Junior & Youth National Championships|work=Amateur Boxing|last=<!-- staff -->|date=May 26, 2013|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> He later represented England in an international against Denmark in 2018 and secured gold at the British Universities and Colleges Sport Boxing Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wlv.ac.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/2018/february-2018/knock-out-success-for-student-boxer.php|title=Knock-out success for student boxer|work=University of Wolverhampton|last=<!-- staff -->|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117205208/https://www.wlv.ac.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/2018/february-2018/knock-out-success-for-student-boxer.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Professional career== On 12 July 2019, it was confirmed that Adeleye had turned professional under Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions banner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.frankwarren.com/adeleye-added-to-the-heavyweight-mix/|title=ADELEYE ADDED TO THE HEAVYWEIGHT MIX|work=Queensberry Promotions|last=<!-- staff -->|date=July 12, 2019|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=23 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123201015/https://www.frankwarren.com/adeleye-added-to-the-heavyweight-mix/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Adeleye made his professional debut on 21 December 2019, on the undercard of Daniel Dubois against Kyotaro Fujimoto for the vacant WBC Silver heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/heavyweight-hopeful-david-adeleye-discusses-daniel-dubois-sparring-sessions|title=Heavyweight hopeful David Adeleye discusses Daniel Dubois sparring sessions|work=British Boxing News|last=<!-- staff -->|date=June 29, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> The referee, Mark Bates, called a halt to proceedings as Adeleye defeated Lithuanian fighter Dmitrij Kalinovskij via technical knockout (TKO) in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/david-adeleye-begins-pro-career-with-first-round-stoppage--145336|title=David Adeleye Begins Pro Career With First-Round Stoppage|work=Boxing Scene|last=Foster|first=Elliot|date=December 21, 2019|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> On 10 July 2020, Adeleye returned with a second-round knockout over Matt Gordon at the BT Sport Studio in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.intuboxing.com/latest-boxing-news/Gordon-Hoping-For-Home-Comforts|title=Gordon Hoping For Home Comforts|work=IntuBoxing|last=Mole|first=Dan|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206005232/https://www.intuboxing.com/latest-boxing-news/Gordon-Hoping-For-Home-Comforts|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/calendar/2020-07|title=David Adeleye-Matthew Gordon|work=BBC|last=<!-- staff -->|date=July 10, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref> Adeleye's third fight was a return to the BT Sport Studio on 29 August against Phil Williams, whom Adeleye stopped in the third round, achieving his third knockout victory in a row.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/boxing-news-knockout-david-adeleye-crushes-phil-williams-in-the-third-round/|title=KNOCKOUT! David Adeleye Crushes Phil Williams in the Third Round|work=EssentiallySports|last=Singh|first=Rishabh|date=August 30, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref>
Adeleye fought Fabio Wardley on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on 28 October 2023, for the vacant Commonwealth heavyweight strap, Wardley’s British championship, and Adeleye’s WBO European heavyweight belt. He lost the fight via TKO in the seventh round which resulted in him losing his undefeated record. Adeleye was knocked down in the seventh round from a left hook, which left him flat on his back, before managing to get back up on nine seconds of the 10 count.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Fabio Wardley stops David Adeleye in seventh round to retain British heavyweight championship |url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/boxing/fabio-wardley-stops-david-adeleye-in-seventh-round-to-retain-british-heavyweight-championship_sto9858477/story.shtml |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=www.tntsports.co.uk}}</ref> Wardley then unleashed a barrage of punches with nothing coming back from Adeleye, resulting in the referee calling a stop to the fight, thereby declaring Wardley the winner by technical knock-out.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wardley stops Adeleye to retain British heavyweight title |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/67252423 |access-date=2023-10-29}}</ref> Adeleye protested the stoppage and shoved the referee John Latham.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-28 |title=David Adeleye angrily shoves referee after crushing knockout defeat to Fabio Wardley |url=https://talksport.com/sport/1620282/fabio-wardley-stops-david-adeleye-tyson-fury-francis-ngannou/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Idec |first=Keith |date=2023-10-28 |title=Fabio Wardley Drops, Stops David Adeleye in Seventh of Grudge Match|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/fabio-wardley-drops-stops-david-adeleye-seventh-grudge-match--178824 |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
After more than a year away from competitive action, Adeleye returned to the ring on 7 December 2024, stopping English heavyweight champion Solomon Dacres in the first round of their fight at Wembley Arena in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/david-adeleye-knocks-out-solomon-dacres-in-one-round/|title=David Adeleye knocks out Solomon Dacres in one round|date=7 December 2024 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=8 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/two-big-heavyweight-kos-in-london-as-lawrence-okolie-and-david-adeleye-have-early-nights-boxing-results/284511|title=Two Big Heavyweight KO's In London As Lawrence Okolie And David Adeleye Have Early Nights – Boxing Results|date=7 December 2024 |publisher=Boxing 247|accessdate=8 December 2024}}</ref>
Adeleye faced Jeamie Tshikeva for the vacant British heavyweight title at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester on 5 April 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/david-adeleye-jeamie-tkv-to-fight-for-british-heavyweight-title-after-wardley-vacates|title=David Adeleye, Jeamie TKV To Fight For British Heavyweight Title After Wardley Vacates|date=14 March 2025 |publisher=The Ring|accessdate=15 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/british-heavyweight-title-up-for-grabs-as-fabio-wardley-vacates/|title=British heavyweight title up for grabs as Fabio Wardley vacates|date=14 March 2025 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=15 March 2025}}</ref> He won by stoppage in the sixth round.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ringmagazine.com/en/news/controversy-clouds-co-main-as-david-adeleye-stops-jeamie-tkv-in-seven-wins-british-title|title=Controversy Clouds Co-Main As David Adeleye Stops Jeamie TKV In Six, Wins British Title|publisher=The Ring|accessdate=5 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/david-adeleye-jeamie-tkv-knockout-british-heavyweight-title-controversy/128sft14oyrz81meu3gawjje20|title=David Adeleye's British title stoppage win over Jeamie TKV overshadowed by controversy|publisher=DAZN|accessdate=5 April 2025}}</ref>
Without making any defenses, Adeleye vacated the British title in July 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://boxingnewsonline.net/purse-bids-called-as-david-adeleye-relinquishes-british-heavyweight-title/|title=Purse bids called as David Adeleye relinquishes British heavyweight title|date=17 July 2025 |publisher=Boxing News Online|accessdate=18 July 2025}}</ref>
On 16 August 2025, he lost to Filip Hrgović by unanimous decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the undercard of the Moses Itauma vs Dillian Whyte fight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/filip-hrgovic-returns-with-convincing-points-win-over-david-adeleye|title=Filip Hrgovic returns with convincing points win over David Adeleye|publisher=Boxing Scene|accessdate=17 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/david-adeleye-blames-loss-to-filip-hrgovic-on-illegal-rabbit-punches-says-refereeing-was-bad/295228|title=David Adeleye Blames Loss To Filip Hrgovic On 'Illegal Rabbit Punches,' Says Refereeing Was Bad|date=16 August 2025 |publisher=boxing247.com|accessdate=17 August 2025}}</ref>
==Personal life== Adeleye, who had combined amateur boxing with his studies, graduated in 2018 from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in business management, in which his dissertation was on the business aspect of boxing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202001290828.html|title=Nigerian Heavyweight Boxer David Adeleye Makes Professional Debut|work=AllAfrica|last=Mbamalu|first=Socrates|date=January 29, 2020|access-date=November 28, 2020}}</ref>
== Professional boxing record == {{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=13 |ko-losses=1 |dec-wins=1 |dec-losses=1 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |16 |{{no2}}Loss |14–2 |style="text-align:left;"|Filip Hrgović |{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}} |10 |16 Aug 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|anb Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For WBO International and vacant WBA Continental Gold heavyweight titles}} |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |14–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Jeamie Tshikeva |TKO |6 (12), {{small|0:55}} |5 Apr 2025 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Co-op Live, Manchester, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant British heavyweight title}} |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |13–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Solomon Dacres |TKO |1 (10), {{small|1:20}} |7 Dec 2024 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won English heavyweight title}} |- |13 |{{no2}}Loss |12–1 |style="text-align:left;"|Fabio Wardley |TKO |7 (12), {{small|2:43}} |28 Oct 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Boulevard Hall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Lost WBO European heavyweight title;<br> For British, WBA Continental and vacant Commonwealth heavyweight titles}} |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Emir Ahmatovic |RTD |5 (10), {{small|3:00}} |9 Jun 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Retained WBO European heavyweight title}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Dmytro Bezus |TKO |2 (10), {{small|1:48}} |17 Feb 2023 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won WBO European heavyweight title}} |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Elvis Garcia |TKO |2 (6), {{small|2:27}} ||11 Nov 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} | |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Chris Healey |TKO |4 (8), {{small|0:52}} |23 Apr 2022 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Stadium, London, England}} | |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Dominik Musil |{{abbr|RTD|Referee technical decision}} |4 (8), {{small|3:00}} |12 Nov 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} | |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Mladen Manev |TKO |4 (6), {{small|1:54}} |24 Jul 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|The SSE Arena, London, England}} | |- |6 |{{Yes2}}Win |6–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Kamil Sokołowski |{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}} |6 |24 Apr 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|York Hall, London, England}} | |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Dave Preston |{{abbr|KO|Knockout}} |1 (4), {{small|1:20}} |26 Mar 2021 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} | |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Danny Whitaker |TKO |2 (6), {{small|2:09}} |28 Nov 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Church House, London, England}} | |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Phil Williams |TKO |3 (4), {{small|2:10}} |29 Aug 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|BT Sport Studio, London, England}} | |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Matt Gordon |TKO |2 (4), {{small|2:44}} |10 Jul 2020 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|BT Sport Studio, London, England}} | |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |style="text-align:left;"|Dmitrij Kalinovskij |{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}} |1 (4), {{small|2:25}} |21 Dec 2019 |style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Copper Box Arena, London, England}} | |}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == *{{Boxrec|912379}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adeleye, David}} Category:1996 births Category:Living people Category:Heavyweight boxers Category:Super-heavyweight boxers Category:English male boxers Category:Boxers from London Category:English people of Nigerian descent Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent Category:Black British sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:Alumni of the University of Wolverhampton Category:21st-century English sportsmen