27th December, 2013
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos has said that the government’s investment in the monthly Hall of Fame Boxing Championship has not been in vain with the success the event has recorded since inception five years ago.
The governor, who was the Special Guest at the 5th edition of the Governor’s Belt on Boxing Day, said that he was delighted watching young pugilists doing their trade with high sense of fulfillment.
Fashola described the winner of the Governor’s Belt, Aishat Oriyomi, a female boxer who won the belt for the first time in five years, as a talented and gifted pugilist who used her prowess in the ring to entertain fans at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba, yesterday.
“The best way for these boxers to sustain their achievements is to be focused and disciplined,” said Fashola. He said that the Governor’s Belt is a sporting event on the bill of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame to close sporting activities for the state in the year. I’m so glad that we had a brilliant sports calendar year that ended in a glorious way with the Governor’s Belt,” he said.
Series of bouts were decided before the winner of the Governor’s Belt was selected by a panel of judges headed by veteran coach, Joe Mensah. Gbadamosi Idris beat Azeez Latifu to win the 31kg fight. Opeyemi Okowo overpowered Isiaka Jamiu in the 34kg bout. 39kg bout was won by Fadipe Olayemi who beat Tosin Kejowa. Blessing Dada won the female 35kg fight after she defeated Cynthia Ogunsamilore.
Taiwo Agbaje won the 56kg fight at the expense of Sanusi Abiodun. 60kg bout between Olanrewaju Olokode and Shoyoye Kazeem was won by Olokode; while Waheed Sogbamu from Ogun State defeated Kazeem Saka in the 64kg fight. Aishat Orisayomi got the best out of Odion Onome in the female 54kg fight.
—Taiwo Adelu