London-Based Boxers Want To Fight For Nigeria

Two Nigerian boxers with Repton Boxing Club of London, Umar
Sadiq and Ben Falaja have declared their intention to fight for Nigeria if
called to camp.

The duo disclosed this to newsmen at the end of a three-day
third annual International Bout with Lagos Boxing Club held between September
21 and 23.

The first leg of the two-legged bout was held at Ikoyi Hotel
and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos while the return leg was held at the Indoor
Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Lagos Club won the first leg 4-2 while Repton avenged with a
4-1 victory in the return leg.

Sadiq and Falaja said that they were willing to assist
Nigeria with their wealth of experience and exposure to help bring back the
lost glory of the sport in the country.

According to him, Nigerian boxers are talented, but needed
exposures for them to withstand and overcome their foreign counterparts at
international competitions.

Sadiq, 24, from Kano State, said that he took to boxing as a
way of recreation while schooling in London.

The 81kg boxer who said her mother was from Benue, said he
was discovered by the Repton Club while representing his school and he had
since won several competitions in London.

Sadiq who sealed his club 4-1 victory in the return leg of
the bout against Wasiu Balogun of the Lagos Club, said that he was in Nigeria’s
camp during preparation for the just-ended London 2012 Olympics.

“But I was dropped because I sustained injuries,” the dark
complexioned Sadiq said, adding, however, that he was still willing to fight
for Nigeria if he was invited.

“I am still willing to use my experience and exposures to
help Nigeria regain its feat in boxing if I am called again,” Sadiq said.

Falaja, 23, from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun, said that his ambition was
to be among Nigeria’s boxers for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The 69kg boxer who in the second leg of the bout out-punched
his Lagos Club rival, Ganiu Hammed, said he was also discovered by Repton Club.