20th September, 2012
The battle lines are drawn as the much-anticipated Lagos ABA Versus Repton Boys Club of London International Amateur Boxing Tournament begins tonight. Boxers from both camps will trade punches at the Grand Ballroom of the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This edition has been dubbed A Revenge Mission by the Coach Wasiu Bisiriyu-tutored Lagos Amateur Boxing Association, LABA, team, having lost the earlier editions to the visitors with 5-3, 6-1 in 2010 and 4-4, 3-2 in 2011.
In the first bout of the day, Lagos State Sports Festival champion, Otto Joseph of LABA will take on O. David of Repton in the 62kg category, while Kazeem Oliwo of LABA will do battle with K. Sarpong of Repton in the 63kg category. In the 64kg category, Pius Godwin of LABA will attempt to tear apart T. Tear of Repton, while National Sports Festival champion, Olaide Fijabi of LABA will unleash his strength on K. Ozimkowski of Repton in the 67kg category.
Abua Christian of LABA will put his strength to test as he slugs it out with B. Falaja of Repton in the 67kg category, while Shina John of LABA will take on R. Pickard of Repton in the 73kg category. The last bout of the day will involve Muri Shango of LABA and U. Sadig of Repton as they trade punches in the 81kg category.
In the reverse fixtures slated for Saturday, 22 September, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, Sikiru Fatai of LABA will take on O. David of Repton in 62kg category, while Taye Olowu of LABA will face K. Sarpong of Repton in the 63kg category. In the 64kg category, Rilwan Oladosu of LABA will attempt to outpunch T. Tear of Repton, while Saheed Lawal of LABA will take on K. Ozimkowski of Repton in the 69kg category.
—Bimbo Ajayi