24th December, 2012
Amateur boxers in Lagos State will engage in fisticuffs as the 4th Governor’s Belt holds on Boxing Day at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre at Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.
The annual event, which will feature 6 gold and 1 bronze medalists from the just-concluded 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012, will involve 20 pugilists competing for the Governor’s Belt; the award for the Best Boxer of the Tournament.
In the first bout of the event, Akeem Akinade of Ola Akins Boxing Club will take on Isaac Oloyade of Pioneer Boxing Club in the 52kg category, while Rilwan Oladosu of Ajetunmobi Boxing Club will face Eko 2012 gold medalist, Otto Joseph of Paramount Boxing Club in the 60kg category.
Skipper of Team Lagos at the Eko 2012 and three-time gold medalist, Olaide Fijabi of Star Boxing Club will trade punches with Hameed Rufai of No Shaking Boxing Club in the 64kg category, while Francis Saviour and Udeme Victor of Nigeria Model High School will slug it out in the only exhibition bout of the event.
Two female boxers who won gold medals, Aishat Oriyomi of Blessed Boxing Club and Mutiat Adebayo of Champion Boxing Club will trade punches in the 52kg category, while Abua Christian of Paramount Boxing Club will take on Oyegunwa Taiwo of Faleke Boxing Club in the 69kg category.
The duo of Michael Oriyomi of Blessed Boxing Club and Shina John of Champion Boxing Club will stand toe to toe in the 75kg category, while Eko 2012 bronze medalist, Muri Shango of Eleto Boxing Club will test his strength against Elijah Eniola of Blessed Boxing Club in the 81kg category.
Sunday Godwin of Badagry Pioneer Boxing Club will mount the squared rope with Sunday Okoro of D & D Boxing Club in the 91kg category while two Eko 2012 gold medalists, Segun Ibraheem of Warrior Boxing Club will take on Francis Gabriel of Champion Boxing Club in the +91kg category.
—Bimbo Ajayi