Sports
WASIU Alabi, the founder, De-Lads Boxing Promotion, says his passion is to develop young boxers in Nigeria and sponsor them to international bouts.
Alabi made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.
He said he was excited about the success so far recorded in the boxing events he promoted.
He said that the boxing championship tagged ‘Battle of the Ages’, held March 3 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
Alabi, who said he was excited about hosting the seventh edition of the championship, added that right from the first edition, he was encouraged to promote boxing bouts yearly in Nigeria.
”I am very happy about the boxing bouts, it has been very encouraging watching boxers train all year round using my hard-earned funds to support their dreams and aspirations.
”We can only do better and move forward and learn from every event that we organise; indeed, I am confident of doing more for grassroots development of boxing in Nigeria,” he said.
NAN reports that there were 10 amateur boxing bouts and eight pro-boxing bouts at the just concluded edition.
In the main event, Abubakar Babatunde wasted no time to dismiss his opponent, Idowu Okusote, via technical knockout in the third round of their Light Heavyweight fight.
Babatunde’s hard punches to the face of his opponent were just too much for Okusote to contend with.
Babatunde told NAN that he was very sure about his victory, having trained well for the fight and was glad to win at the end.
”I believe in myself, I worked very hard for the fight and proud to win at the end.
”I say a big thanks to the promoter for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents,” he said.
Another technical knockout was recorded by Emmanuel Abimbola, who defeated his opponent, Batholomew Uche, in the fifth round of their eight- round Lightweight fight.
Segun Adeyemi also defeated his opponent, Hammed Ganiyu, by technical knockout in the fourth round of their National Light Welterweight challenge.
Similarly, Taiye Fajinmi subdued his opponent, Imole Oloyede, by technical knockout in the first round of their National Light Welterweight challenge.
Toheeb Hassan dismissed Adeshina Oluwatosin by a majority decision after four rounds of their Super Bantamweight Challenge.
The judges scored their fight 38-37, 38-38 and 39-37 to crown Hassan’s efforts in the bout.
Azeez Lateef also overpowered Waidi Usman by a unanimous decision in the eight round of their National Featherweight challenge.
The three judges in the fight scored 78-74, 77-73 and 78-75 in favour of Lateef who grabbed the crowd with his hard punches.
Raheem Animashaun was too hot for Akintunde Abolade, recording a 40-36, 40-35 and 40-36 unanimous decision over Abolade.
In another crunchy tie, Tiamiyu Hassan defeated Adewale Oladeji by unanimous decision in their National Middleweight bout.
The judges recorded the fight 78-74, 76-76 and 79-73 in favour of Hassan.(NAN)
5th March, 2024.
CE.
Tags: WASIU Alabi
