Sports
Ibadan To Host GOTV Boxing Night 15
Nigeria’s premier boxing show, GOtv Boxing Night is set to take the centre stage as the 15th edition at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan, holds on July 29.
Jenkins Alumona, the Managing Director, Flykite Productions told newsmen during a press briefing in Lagos as seven national fights and two international bouts are scheduled to feature during the night.
Alumona said that he was delighted to have the show back as the best boxer of the night would go home with N1million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya trophy.
“We are happy to be back for the GOtv boxing night series which promises as usual to be loaded with the best fights ever seen in Nigeria.
“It promises to be a wonderful night as all logistics would be in place to see another successful boxing night.
“We are in Ibadan because of the yearnings of boxing fans where it held the 11th edition successfully in 2017,’’ Alumona said.
He added that he was also delighted to have GOtv bankrolling the sporting event and also thanks other numerous sponsors that have continued to back the project.
“I am so delighted to have GOtv Satellite Company supporting our initiative, it has indeed been a great boost to our confidence for reviving the sport and bringing many boxers in the spotlight.
“We want to continue to present boxing to the world and GOtv has stuck by us from the first edition in 2014, to this we are indeed grateful for their immeasurable support.
“The boxing night has continued to gain momentum as it is watched in no fewer than 47 African countries, indeed we are proud of these achievements so far.”
Alumona also said that he was happy to have Betking Nigeria coming in the picture to throw their weight financially for the success of the event.
The boxing night would have Nigeria’s African Boxing Union Lightweight Champion Oto Boy Joseph defend his title against Ghana’s Nathaniel Nukpe.
Joseph told newsmen that fighting at the GOtv Boxing night was always an opportunity to showcase himself and he would not disappoint his numerous fans to retain the title.
“I am confident of doing well at the coming boxing night 15; it is going to be an interesting match because my opponent is not a pushover.
“I have done well to watch some clips of him train and also his many bouts he won and lost, he is in no way a threat to my championship belt.
“I want my fans out there to come and support me as I destroy Nukpe in Ibadan,’’ Joseph said.
Similarly Akeem Sadiku Dodo will also engage Franc Houanvoegbe of Benin Republic in an international light middleweight challenge.
Micheal Godwin ‘Lion Heart’ will engage Idowu Okusote ‘ID Cabasa in a National Cruiserweight challenge as Daniel Emeka Big Shark face Sulaimon Adeosun in a light heavyweight challenge.
The lightweight title fight will have Vincent Dada test his boxing skills against Segun ‘showboy’ Olalehin, Pricne ‘lion’ Nwoye will take on Ridwan ‘Scorpion’’ Oyekola.
The Gotv sensational fighter Olaide Fijabi ‘Fijaborn’ is scheduled to fight Kazeem ‘Iberu’ Ariyo in a national lightweight challenge.
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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