6th August, 2010
The Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame, an amateur boxing tournament which started July 2009, clocked one year last weekend.
When this was announced during the July edition of the Hall of Fame held at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos, South West Nigeria last Saturday, the boxers went into wild jubilation.
The amateur boxing tournament, which draws boxers from the nooks and crannies of the state, is put together by the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association in conjunction with the former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Wale Edun.
Since the inception of the tournament, budding talents have been discovered. Some of them represented the state at the Sunshine Open Championship, which was held in Akure, Ondo State. At the end of hostilities in Akure, Lagos State won 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals.
Boxers at the 12th Monthly Saturday Boxing Show poured encomiums on Edun for putting up the show for them to showcase their talents. They also praised other corporate organisations that have been bankrolling the championship.
Some of the boxers, who spoke to P.M Sports shortly after the curtains were drawn, expressed joy over the success of the tournament, stressing that if not for the spirited effort of Edun and the sponsors that they may just be training, there will be no action to keep them busy.
Peter, who won the best boxer award and a gift from Starcomms Plc., praised Edun for the good works he is doing for amateur boxing in Lagos State.
“I want to thank the organisers and the sponsors of this monthly boxing championship for giving us the opportunity to test our strengths against one another,†he said.
Essien Offiong, a professional boxer, who campaigns in the Middleweight category, said Edun deserves support from more corporate organisations.
Results of bouts at the fights are as follows:
In the 48kg, Bashiru Abdulahi of Calisto Boxing Club defeated Golden Weapon Boxing Clubâ€
Dosumu Timothy of Golden Weapon Boxing Club received the beating of his life from Fatai Ajadi of Star Boxing Club in the 56kg and Essien Francis of Chester Boxing Club was declared winner over Young Starâ€
Ibrahim Ojora of Tit 4 Tat saw red against Samuel Opaogun of Young Star Boxing Club also in the 64kg; by a unanimous decision Godwin Ambrose of Brightest Boxing Club defeated Ibrahim Yusuf of Calisto in the 75kg and another TKO was also recorded in the 91kg, as Segun Ibrahim of I Do Boxing Club defeated Shola Oni.
Meanwhile, this monthâ€
“I want to thank you all for making todayâ€