Sports
Oluwole Suffers First Career Defeat
Nigerian boxer, Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole, suffered the first loss of her professional career after falling to New Zealand’s Lani Daniels via unanimous decision in their IBF women’s light-heavyweight title fight at last Saturday night.
Daniels retained her IBF title with a dominant display, as the judges scored the fight 100-90, 97-93, and 98-92 in her favour after 10 hard-fought rounds.
It was a strong showing from the defending champion, who used her experience to outbox the previously undefeated Nigerian.
Oluwole, who entered the ring with a perfect record of nine wins, including five knockouts, had trained intensively for the fight, hoping to secure her first world title.
The Nigerian boxer, however, found herself outmatched by the more seasoned Daniels, who now boasts 11 career wins. Despite her valiant effort, Oluwole struggled to keep up with Daniel’s speed and tactical prowess.
Daniels came into the fight with a record of 10 wins, two losses, and two draws. Fighting on home soil, she had the support of the local crowd and was confident in her ability to retain the belt.
Prior to the fight, Oluwole had expressed her readiness and optimism, stating on social media, “Just hang up; I’m dialled in on September 7.
“It was Daniels who showed the sharper focus on the night, keeping Oluwole at bay with precise jabs and well-timed counters.
For Oluwole, this marks a significant moment in her career. The loss to Daniels may be her first setback, but the Nigerian fighter, at just 22 years old, still has a bright future ahead in the boxing world.
Fans will be eager to see how she bounces back from this defeat, especially after proving her resilience in the early stages of her career.
Daniels, 36, continues her reign, cementing her position at the top of the division. With this successful title defence, she remains a formidable force, especially on her home turf in New Zealand.
Despite the loss, Oluwole’s performance against a two-time IBF world champion should be seen as a valuable learning experience in her young career. The Nigerian national champion had been making waves in the light-heavyweight division, and this setback may serve as motivation for future challenges.
In a bid to make the Pillar of Associations Rivers state football tournament to become a permanent annual feature in Rivers state football calendar and a veritable platform for alternative career opportunity for Pillar members and members of Rivers football community, the Chairman of the tournament’s Organising Committee, Comrade Franklin Obute has stated that they were open to welcoming sponsorships from corporate entities and well meaning individuals.
Comrade Obute in an interview with news men on a match day at the ongoing competition at the Rivers State University’s ground said that the Pillar of Associations were ready to partner interested parties, who would be willing to invest in the competition through sponsorship towards elevating the quality and standard of the tournament.
According to him, “The Pillar of Associations tournament, due to the opportunities available, owing to the sheer number of businesses and members obtainable in the Pillar, would be a very attractive opportunity to exploit through sponsorship”.
He stated that there would be a conscious efforts toward sensitising the corporate and private environments to buy into the vision and objectives of the tournament. He explained that due to the open nature of the competition, whereby members of the association are allowed to engage any footballer from across the country, whether a business man or not, any sponsor would be able to enjoy unimaginable mileage.
“Every multinational company, private businesses should aspire to be part of the sponsorship of this tournament because there are so much benefits derivable therein, the coverage is very wide. You know that organising a football tournament of this nature is capital intensive, so, any sponsorship to add more value is welcomed”, he said.
The 2025 edition is currently ongoing and has reached the second round stage where matches are now being played on knockout basis, beginning from Friday.
By: Gabriel Nwanetanya
Some of the best golfers across Africa are expected to converge on the Ikoyi Club 1938 Golf Section for the three-day Ikoyi Ladies Golf Tournament holding from November 11 to 13.
The star-studded amateur open tournament is part of the activities lined up by the leadership of the club to celebrate the ladies’ tournament’s 50th anniversary.
Speaking at a world press conference at the Club’s headquarters in Ikoyi, the Ladies Club Captain, Mrs Peggy Onwu, explained that the tournament will offer opportunity for leading amateur golfers across 11 countries of the world to showcase their skills on the green lawn.
According to her, over 150 golfers have already registered for the open tournament, which will attract mouth-watering prizes, including a trophy, a premium ticket to the United States of America, among others.
The event will be preceded by ‘Twilight evening,’ which will see the participants play the golf game towards dawn, in a relaxed atmosphere with cocktails, networking and good music.
She thanked the various sponsors of tournament, including PWC, Delta Airline, Western Star, First EGP, among others, for identifying and keying into the Club’s goals and aspirations as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
Mrs. Onwu added that the event was not only a celebration of resilience, commitment, dedication and sacrifice, but a rare display of exemplary team spirit by all members of the Ladies Golf Section.
Thrilled by the presence of a Nigerian-born Italy- based golfer and fashion icon, Bali Lawal, as well as other professionals expected to grace the tournament, she promised that the tournament will be a memorable outing aimed at mentoring ladies keen on honing their golfing skills.
Speaking in the same vein, Vice Lady Captain, Annie Eimiakhena, explained that the tournament will entail three days of competitive outing showing skills, professional dexterity.
She added that participants and golfers will use the opportunity of the event to network among themselves, while a Masterclass will be held to educate would-be golfers on the dynamics of the game.
The Technical Manager of Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt, Finidi George has praised his boys (players) as they ran away with a point in the rescheduled match day nine of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) against Bendel Insurance.
According to him, before the game, he told his boys that they have to put up a good fighting spirit in the game, knowing that it will not be easy at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.
Finidi said this last Thursday in his post match interview with sports journalists and made available to Tidesports after they secured a goalless draw against Insurance.
He explained that in the first half, the game was 50-50 but in the second half after 15 to 20 minutes, my players pushed them back, looking for goal but they were able to hold them and got the draw.
“ From onset, I knew it was going to be a difficult game. Yes, we have to defend deep and get something. Kudos to my boys, they put up a good fighting spirit.
“ Despite the host creating good number of chances even hitting the crossbar but I must say that the draw is not a bad result.
“ Wasiu Falolu came closer in the second half but his long ranged shot just went over the bar.
“It was not a bad result but we have to move on and see how we can get good results from other matches” Finidi said.
By: Kiadum Edookor