Nigeria’s 51st Anniversary Special: Boxing Deteriorates

As Nigerians celebrate the country’s 51st independent anniversary, the Grand Patron of Calysto Boxing Club of Ajegunle, Bisi Lawrence, says boxing is deteriorating in the country.

The octogenerian said the love for the sport is on the decline, a contrast to what it used to be in the past.

“There is no doubt that boxing is deteriorating in the country. Nigerians no longer have passion for the sport. In the days of Hogan Bassey, the glamour was there for boxing when he won the first Commonwealth title. There was so much fanfare in the land because there was passion for the sport at the time,” said Lawrence.

However, Lawrence, noted that the government has a lot to do for boxing to take its rightful place at the international stage.

“Government has a lot to do for boxing to develop in the country. I remember when Hogan Bassey was fighting in America, the Minister of Sports was there to represent the government. But it is no longer the case because the government does not seem to have interest in the sport,” he said.

—Bimbo Ajayi