20th August, 2010
The Nigeria Boxing Federation, NBF, has described United States of America- based boxer, Ganiu Muideen, as a bad loser and who always wants to win at all costs.
This is coming against the backdrop of the boxer’s comments in some sections of the media that the NBF, the referees and judges were not fair enough in their decision to award a fight to his opponent, Olaide Fijabi.
The NBF had on Monday at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, held an elimination trial for both boxers to pick who would represent the country in the Light Welterweight category at the Commonwealth Games coming up in October in New Delhi, India.
At the end of the three round bout, Fijabi was declared the winner by all the judges, but the result did not go down well with the America- based pugilist. A confused Muideen, two-time All Africa Games medalist at 2003 and 2007 editions, insisted that he would beat Fijabi even in his dream.
However, the NBF said Muideen is just trying to get into the team by all means.
President of the NBF, Rotimi George Taylor, in a chat with Boxing In Focus opined that Muideen was not at his best during the trial, adding that he was not part of the referees and judges so he wouldn’t have influenced their decision.
Taylor said he is still shocked by the comments credited to Muideen.
“Muideen lost the bout and there is no going back on the decision taken. Nobody can intimidate or influence the outcome. We created a level playing field for both boxers, the judges were not even based in Lagos. All his allegations are unfounded and cannot hold water,†he said angrily.
—Adebobola Alawode