Bash Ali’s Fight: IBU Gives Nigeria Another Lifeline

The chances of Nigeria playing host to the Guinness Book of World Record fight involving Bashiru Lawrence Ali of Nigeria and a yet to be named opponent gets a new lease of life with an extension granted by International Boxing Union, IBU.

Chairman of the boxing body sanctioning the fight, Don “Moose” Lewis, in a letter dated 9 August, 2013, which was made available to P.M.NEWS Sports, said that “after much deliberation and with my personal pleading, the IBU Executive Committee has granted your request today for a final extension to complete all details for the record breaking fight card to be held in Nigeria.

“We anticipate your Thursday, 6 June, 2013’s meeting with the President of Nigeria to be the final step in moving forward with the event. Therefore, we expect the IBU Sanctioning Fees of $I million to be transferred and a letter guaranteeing the safety in Nigeria of the 132 member countries to be received by the IBU no later than 5 o’clock pm New York time Friday, 6 September, 2013.

“Again, please understand that this is the deadline for monies to be received-not initial process of transfer and also for the letter guaranteeing the safety in Nigeria of the 132 member countries participating in this historic event. Contact has been made with all parties and all fighters anxiously await the official confirmation from the IBU of such occurring as they await their own respective opportunity to finalise their contracts in order to come to Nigeria and be a part of history.

“As you are aware of, the complete initial investment that must be prepaid is only a fraction of the financial return to be received. This historical boxing card is a “KO” for all parties involved in many ways and will cement all persons and parties involved a place in history forever.

“Be aware Champ that if the 6 September date passes without the government meeting the IBU requirement and you are unable to secure another country before the deadline, as your friend, I advise you at 5:01 pm New York time, Friday, 6 September to immediately contact me to accept the standing offer of €11Million euro plus twenty percent (20%) of pay-per view revenues from the promotion group in Germany for the WBF/IBU Cruiserweight World titles.

“Should you fail to act accordingly, I have no choice but to inform them to move to the next available contender for the title. This puts you in a position of not having another opportunity to fight for our title until spring 2014 at the earliest and at your age, time is a greater opponent than the man opposite you in the ring. It is my most fervent hope that you are successful in this final push to fulfill not only your dream to get Nigeria to host the first Guinness World Record bout in Africa but to also establish sports academies and a sports equipment manufacturing factory.”

The letter was copied to President Goodluck Jonathan, the chairman of National Sports Commission, NSC, Bolaji Abdullahi and the chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

While reacting to the IBU’s letter, Bash Ali, the World Boxing Federation, WBF, cruiserweight champion said that “Nigeria is my first choice but if nothing happens this week I will have no choice than to talk to another country in Africa. This is because I want the fight to hold on the soil of Africa.

“I was once robbed in Germany in August 2006 when I fought Ralph Rochigianni for the WBO title. My dream is to rewrite boxing history in Nigeria.”