The Nation Newspaper

Tag: BOXING

  • Boxing in Nigeria needs more promoters, official says

    Rafiu Ladipo, the President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), on Thursday in Lagos said more promoters were needed to contribute to the boxing sport’s development in Nigeria.

    Ladipo told the News Agency of Nigeria he was however pleased with latest developments in boxing as the sport was gradually getting the attention it deserves.

    Ladipo said the upcoming boxing reality show, “Rumble in the Box’’, was an example of latest positive developments in the sport in Nigeria.

    “It is good. `Rumble in the Box’ which is set to come up in January will put boxing in Nigeria on another level.

    “I must commend the person who brought up the idea, Mansa Musa Promotions, for the initiative to develop the youths through their hard-earned funds.

    “This is what we want for boxing as we have continued to keep our doors open to promoters and sponsors of boxing,’’ he said.

    Ajibade Olajoku, the Chief Executive Officer of Mansa Musa Promotions, told NAN that the boxing reality show would have 24 male boxers and 16 female boxers competing.

    He said the whole target of the event is to add value to boxing and make international boxing stars because it would be transmitted live on television.

    Olajoku added that the best female and male boxers going by the highest number of votes would get the opportunity to fight in the world championship belts.

    “We are happy to tell the world what we want to do at Mansa Musa Boxing Productions and which is to get highly skilled boxers to fight in the lightweight category in a reality show.

    “The boxing reality show will have 24 male boxers and 16 female boxers in one location and also moving together competing and training together.

    “The show would also go through elimination series where the viewers would get to decide the fate of every boxer until we get the best boxer that is fit to compete internationally,’’ Olajoku added.

    He also said that the show would have a multi-talented world-class coach, the U.S.-based Demarcus Corley, to guide the youths on how to go about their training.

    “Corley, nicknamed `Chop Chop’ and was a world-class professional with 84 fights and 50 wins, would be on ground as a guide for the boxers.

    Speaking also, Remi Aboderin, the General Secretary of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), assured that the boxing reality show would be a great success.

    He said already the event has the backing of the association.

    Aboderin who doubles as the President of West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) said the event was packaged to give young and skillful boxers an opportunity to showcase their talents.

    “We at the NBB of C are confident about the whole idea because it is set up for the good of our boxers.

    “We want more promoters to come and invest in boxing and give our home-grown talents the opportunity to show their quality and guide them to stardom.

    “The idea of having Corley to guide the boxers is also well accepted because he has the credentials in terms of his professional records and achievements,’’ he said.

  • Mayweather flaunts $30,000 ping pong table

    Mayweather flaunts $30,000 ping pong table

     

    For Floyd Mayweather who made his fortune and fame in the ring, there appears to be no dull moment even after retirement as he has a finger in every pie. He is not only a money man but has also turned into a busy bee wanting to be involved in sometime at all times.

    The former five-weight world champion, who won all 50 of his professional contents, is widely considered the most gifted fighter of his generation.

    And since announcing his retirement in the wake of victory over Conor McGregor last year, the 40-year-old has been putting his hands to good use elsewhere.

    On Saturday, Mayweather posted a video on Instagram of him enjoying a game of table tennis with his cousin Roy.

    ‘Money’, who recently flaunted the $100million cheque he received for beating McGregor, was ‘fooling around’ on his ‘$30,000 crystal glass ping pong table’.

    The short video showed Mayweather was no slouch with a bat in hand. But he could soon be putting his talents to better use  in the Octagon.

    It was reported this week that he and McGregr are reportedly in talks over a sensational MMA rematch potentially worth $500million (£360m).

    The pair met in August when McGregor was stopped in the 10th round of their glitzy Las Vegas boxing match, Mayweather’s

    favoured discipline.

    ‘Money’ has repeatedly hinted he could be ready to make his debut in the Octagon and even posted a video of himself stepping into an MMA cage last month.

    Longtime MMA commentator Joe Rogan claimed Mayweather is already in talks with UFC president Dana White over a potential ‘billion dollar’ deal to fight.

    Ironically it does appear that once you have hit it big the more money you have the more money is ready to come.

    And Mayweather has bragged that he’d received multi-fight deal offers from the UFC and could make a billion dollars if he enters the octagon.

    Mayweather officially retired from boxing in 2015 and as of August 2017 he had a net worth of $400 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Octagon show if it comes to reality will no doubt be another dollar rain for the stylish world champ.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tyson Fury set to return after Anti-Doping accord

    Tyson Fury set to return after Anti-Doping accord

     

    Tyson Fury has been given the green light to return to boxing after accepting a backdated two-year ban for doping.

    The former world heavyweight champion has been out of the ring since he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko back in November 2015.

    Seven months after that famous victory he was charged with using a banned substance. But the 29-year-old said the positive test was a result of uncastrated wild boar he had eaten.

    The news is a welcome boost for the 29-year-old, who has been eyeing a return to his throne for several months. But there remain several hurdles for Fury to cross before he can step through the ropes once more.

    The former unified world champion, who has been in the gym training alongside Ricky Hatton near Manchester in recent weeks, ballooned up to 25st during his two-year hiatus from the sport.

    He also remains without a boxing licence from a British Boxing Board of Control but can now apply for one. UKAD revealed, however, that the BBBofC agreed with the decision to end proceedings against the self-styled Gypsy King.

    Both Tyson and his cousin Hughie, who unsuccessfully challenged for the WBO world heavyweight title in September, were charged with doping offences by UK Anti-Doping.

    The hearing, which had been delayed and unresolved for months, was due to resume on Monday. But neither Fury nor UKAD turned up to the hearing, prompting further uncertainty surrounding the two fighters’ future.

    But in a joint statement released on Tuesday, UKAD and the Furys revealed that they had reached an agreement that would see the boxers accept a two-year doping ban backdated to December 13, 2015.

    The charges related back to tests in February 2015, which revealed ‘reported presence of elevated levels of nandrolone metabolites in urine samples’.

    But a UKAD statement explained@ ‘Taking into account the delays in results management that meant charges were not brought in respect of the nandrolone findings until June 2016, and the provisional suspensions that Tyson and Hughie Fury have already effectively served, the two year period of ineligibility is backdated to 13 December 2015, and therefore expires at midnight on 12 December 2017.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Umar Sadiq battles Yailton Neves in London.

    Umar Sadiq battles Yailton Neves in London.

     

    Umar Sadiq will step into the ring against Yailton Neves for his second professional fight on the James DeGale Vs Caleb Truax under-card at the Copper Box Arena, London on Saturday.

    The super middleweight boxer believes the time is right to take his craft to the next stage and is already dreaming of a British title after being encouraged by sparring with World Champions James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders.

    He said: “I am really excited about getting back into the ring and taking the next step in my career.

    “I have sparred with world champions and never been left wanting so I believe in my ability to perform and win titles.

    “I think with five more novice level fights under my belt I will be ready to start knocking on British titles.

    “My fans should expect a more aggressive fighter in the ring this time. I am aiming to win and putting into practice what my coaching team has taught me in the gym.”

    Sadiq, a trained accountant represented Nigeria at the Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon and Azerbaijan last year and started his professional career with a unanimous decision victory against Lewis van Poetsch in London last September.

    The 29 year old London Metropolitan University graduate is an alumnus of Repton Boxing Club. The London based club has over the years partnered with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame chaired by Olawale Edun, engaging boxers from Lagos in England and Nigeria.

  • Mayweather denies return to boxing story

    Mayweather denies return to boxing story

     

    Floyd Mayweather totally refuted claims he is coming out of retirement as he continues his ‘luxury vacation’ to China, insisting that he has done with boxing for good.

    The boxing legend said: ‘I’m happily retired. I’m not fighting any more, no matter what the price is, ‘adding that reports to the contrary are’ Fake All lies.’

    Having retired as the wealthiest pugilist of all time with a perfect 50-0 record, Mayweather boasted he is being paid for the current trip to the far east.

    The 40-year-old posted a number of photos of himself on the Great Wall, explaining the motivation behind his trip in the caption.

    He wrote: ‘Here in Beijing, China at ‘The Great Wall Of China’, considered to be one of the greatest Wonders of The World!

    ‘It’s always been on my list of places to see throughout my travels in life however, timing is everything.

    Coming here with 23 people has been a great experience and it doesn’t hurt to get paid $3,000,000 to simply visit and vacation here in luxury for a few days.

    ‘With money this long, everything is different. I move different, I dress different and I live different because my money is extremely different!’

    Among the obligations on Mayweather’s ‘luxury holiday’, the former five-weight world champion attended a fan meeting.

    He took to the stage where he was interviewed before answering fan questions in an auditorium in the nation’s capital.

    Mayweather had been reported to be mulling over a return to boxing having hung up his gloves after overcoming Conor McGregor in their lucrative cross-over bout.

    But it seems the defensive master is content with his rich and varied retired life after decades exhibiting his craftsmanship in the ring.

  • Sokoto to host 4th traditional boxing tourney

    Sokoto to host 4th traditional boxing tourney

    The Secretary of the Nigeria Traditional Boxing Premier League, Ahmed Jada, said on Monday that Sokoto State would host the fourth edition of the traditional boxing tournament next month.

    Jada made this known in Abuja that the tournament would hold at the Trade Fair Complex on Old Airport Road in Sokoto.

    He said the event was earlier scheduled to hold from Dec. 7 to Dec. 10 but was shifted to Dec. 14 to Dec. 17, due to some circumstances.

    He said that the tournament was previously billed to hold in Kebbi but was moved to Sokoto, due to unavailability of venue in Kebbi.

    “Everything has been put in place to start the fourth event of the year; the competition will go round the eight participating states.

    “The first phase was held in Kastina State in August, Ogun State hosted the second phase in September; Kaduna State hosted the third phase in November and now Sokoto State is hosting the fourth phase.

    “Kano State won the trophy in Katsina and Kaduna, the battle is open for other participating states to win the trophy.

    “This is the best way to propagate the game in the country, we are working hard to meet the international standards of the game in Nigeria.’’

    He said that the league started with eight states – Katsina, Niger, Kano, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Ogun and the FCT.

    He said that funding had been the major challenge of the league, pleading that the federation needed support from government and private companies.

    NAN

  • Dearth of training equipment for boxers worrisome – Ikhuoria

    Dearth of training equipment for boxers worrisome – Ikhuoria

    Former Olympian and national boxing coach, Isaac Ikhuoria, has described the scarcity of training equipment for boxers across the country as worrisome.

    Ikhuoria made the remarks in an interview on Wednesday in Lagos.

    The 1972 Munich Olympics bronze medalist in the middleweight category said the problem has affected proper nurturing of budding boxing talents.

    “Hardly do you see modern training equipment in our stadiums; even the outdated ones we have are in deplorable state, this doesn’t make it easy for boxers to focus.

    “Most of the time, these boxers improvise and because they are not experts, you cannot rule out accidents during training.

    “So, honestly, it’s hard for modern-day boxers to thrive,’’ Ikhuoria said.

    According to him, most talents get discouraged at the end of the day.

    He added that the situation was beyond the control of coaches and should not be blamed.

    The coach, who was at the helm when the country excelled at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, urged stakeholders to close ranks and revive the sport.

    “I am aware that AIBA recently organised a coaching seminar; that’s a good step in the right direction, a coach can only give what he has.

    “Boxers too need the right equipment to train with and they also need the tutelage of a seasoned coach,’’ Ikhuoria said.

    NAN

  • Khan to pay for treatment of Pakistani boy with eye tumour

    Khan to pay for treatment of Pakistani boy with eye tumour

     

    Boxing superstar Amir Khan has come to the rescue and is offering to pay for life-saving treatment for a seven-year-old Pakistani boy whose life is in danger from an enormous tumour.
    On Thursday, the former world champion took to his official Facebook page to ask for more information about Ali Hassan, whose mass appears to be spreading quickly, after reading about his plight on MailOnline.
    And it can now be revealed that Mr Khan has spoken to Ali’s father Muhammad Mansha and told him that he will help find and pay for surgery to remove the gruesome lump through his charitable foundation.
    The Bolton-born boxer, who takes pride in his Pakistani heritage, told his four million Facebook followers: ‘I just spoke to his father in Pakistan and told them Amir Khan Foundation will help.’
    The heartwarming post attracted more than 11,000 likes and the star was inundated with hundreds of comments from emotional strangers who were also keen to help in any way they could.
    The Amir Khan Foundation was set-up in 2014 and was designed to help youngsters from the poorest parts of the world by providing them with schools and clean drinking water.
    But Mr Khan has since branched out after reading about Ali, who is from a remote village in the eastern region of Pakistan, being unable to see out of his right eye due to the tumour.
    Reports of when the mass began to form are unclear, but medical literature assumes he may have lived with the growth for years.
    Ali’s tumour also appears to growing at an alarming rate, with it noticeably affecting his nose and mouth, suggesting he finds it difficult to talk.
    Mr Mansha, whose age is unknown, desperately appealed for the treatment of his son in Lahore where resources aren’t as limited.
    The family reside in the Pakpattan district of the Punjab province – around 129 miles (207km) from Lahore.
    It is unsure what the tumour is, but it appears similar to the mass of a three-year-old boy in Papua New Guinea that MailOnline reported on the day before.
    Doctors in his own country said his disease was in stage four, and that he had just weeks to live without treatment.
    Retinoblastoma, which is believed to affect one in every 20,000 births, is cancerous and can often prove to be fatal, Dr Mary Lowth wrote for patient.info.
    In a detailed review of the rare form of eye cancer, the former GP with 20 years of experience said: ‘Children whose retinoblastoma is very advanced have a much lower chance of survival.’
    However, treatment is effective and saves many lives – but in developing countries, such as Pakistan and Papua New Guinea, figures suggest 70 per cent die from it.

  • 8th Governor’s Belt: SuperiorBet set to sponsor tournament.

    8th Governor’s Belt: SuperiorBet set to sponsor tournament.

    Sports betting outfit, SuperiorBet has moved to expand its sports sponsorship portfolio by agreeing to join the growing number of sponsors for the 2016 Governor’s Belt.

    The Governor’s Belt, which is due to take place at the Teslim Balogun Stadium Sports Hall, Lagos will mark SuperiorBet’s first major foray into the sports sponsorship market.

    SuperiorBets’ head of operations Seun Alli, said: “As an established betting operator we are delighted to be working with Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame and investing in Nigerian sports by supporting the 8th edition of the Lagos Governor’s Belt.”

    “This will be  the second time SuperiorBet will be supporting the Governor’s Belt but we will be playing a major role the first time and we are looking forward to it immensely” he added.

    The firm will be empowering three outstanding boxers above the age of 18 with fully branded shops and kiosks. The winner is expected to win a branded rent free, full equipped shop with the necessary training and awareness in any area he/she fancies.

    The Governor’s Belt is organized annually by the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association in conjunction with the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame and is foremost tournament for amateur boxing in the country. Past winners of the belt like Olaide Fijabi and Oto Joseph have gone to crave out successful careers in the professional ranks.

  • GOtv Boxing Night 7: Anambra Tiger vows to destroy opponent

    Heavyweight boxer, Ebenezer “Anambra Tiger” Okoli, has warned Michael “Emirate” Godwin, his opponent at GOtv Boxing Night 7, not to take him for a boxer at the end of his career.

    Okoli, who is more experienced than his opponent, was reacting to Godwin’s description of him as an old man, who will fall when confronted by youthful vigour.

    “He has called me an old man, who is at the end of his career, but I will prove to him that I have a sound engine. Car sellers always advise that the engine is more important than the body. I may look old, but I am not old,” he said.

    The clash between the two boxers is one of the six lined up for the event holding on 1 May at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

    The event will be headlined by the national lightweight title fight between Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai, incumbent champion, and Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph.

    Other fights scheduled include the cruiserweight challenge contest between Idowu “Noble” Okusote and Chibuzor ‘Chibunky” Vincent; lightweight clash between Osamudiamen “Shiso” Goodluck and Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu; and a middleweight duel between Chukwuebuka “Wise King” Ezewudo and Ganiyu “Energy” Kolawole.

    Sponsored by GOtv, the event is supported by MultiChoice, Paragonis Multimedia Limited, Complete Sports, KSquare Security, Newsbreak.ng, Brila FM, Bond FM and SuperSport.  SuperSport will broadcast it live in 47 African countries.