23rd September, 2011
A Nigerian boxer, Olaide Fijabi, yesterday at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, displayed an explosive performance as he pummelled a British boxer, Sam McNess, to win the 65kg category at the 2nd International Amateur Boxing Show packaged by the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame headed by Mr. Wale Edun.
The annual event is a boxing championship between Lagos State boxers and their counterparts from Repton Boys Club, London.
Apart from Fijabi, other Lagos pugilists also did the state proud as they drew with the Repton Boys at the end of the first day of the tourney, which featured eight bouts.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said that the investment of the state government in sports is yielding dividends.
“The purpose of organising sporting events like this is for the development of youth, which is the priority of the present administration. The state government sees sports as a way of empowering the youth and to keep them busy,†she said.
Aside Fijabi, three other Lagos boxers also won in their different categories. Sikiru Fatai outpunched Michael McCarthy in the 62kg category, Taiwo Oyegunwa defeated Ben Falaja in the 69kg category and Muri Shango won Umar Sadiq in the 81kg category.
The grand finale of the tournament holds tomorrow at Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos.
—Bimbo Ajayi