14th June, 2013
If reigning National Heavyweight champion, Abiodun Abe fails to defend his title before 7 July, he stands being stripped of his title the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBBof C has warned.
In a statement signed by Dr. Godwin Kanu and Aboderin Remi, President and General Secretary of the NBBof C respectively, the reigning heavy weight champion must step into the ring on the said date or forefeit the title.
Abe defeated Fatai Olayide about seven years ago to emerge National Heavyweight champion, he is yet to defend or relinquish the title.
It was alleged that attempts by the NBB of C to stage a title defencet has always been been thwarted by Abe.
“If according to your statement you do not want a title fight the Board has appealed to the promoter to make it a 10 rounds challenge against the same opponent so as to give you the warm up fight that you are clamouring for.”
NBBof C said Abe’s failure to take the two options given to him may lead to the Board taking the title away from him thereby paving the way for interested boxers to compete for the title.
Aboderin shed more light on the proposed bout, disclosed that Abe must step into the ring against his challenger, Onoriede Ehiwareme, or risks losing it.
“For seven years the Board has been making frantic efforts to have a new National Heavyweight champion but Abe has been running away, the Board even went as far as informing him on 5 May that he has to fight on 7 July, if he fails, he should consider himself as a former national heavyweight champion,” Aboderin said.