Why I Dumped Boxing

Alhaji Taiwo Nasiru Taiwo is the Baale Omoleland, Ikeja, Lagos, He is a well known figure in Nigerian sports especially grassroots football. Bakare, who is a trained football and boxing coach speaks about what led him to dump boxing in 2003 with SUNDAY AKINTOYE

Sir, you are sponsoring Baale Omole Cup, how would you rate this year’s edition?

I must confess that Baale Omole Cup has become a house name as far as grassroots football is concerned in Lagos State. I thank the organisers for the success of the tournament. The standard of this year’s edition is very impressive and encouraging.

What informed you to sponsor a round leather game in Ikeja?

I sponsored the tournament because I want to take the youth off the streets, Don’t forget that I am a trained football and boxing coach so it is the passion I have for the round leather game that informed me to sponsor football tournament in Ikeja.

You said you were a trained boxer before; tell us more about your boxing career?

I developed interest in the boxing since 1975 when it was introduced partially in the school system. When I was in National Institute For Sports in Surulere, Lagos, I felt like going back to ring boxing in the year 2000 when I took the element of boxing as elective course. After I left the institute three years later, I trained under a professional boxer, Bash Ali where I passed through rigorous training. I learnt a lot from Bash Ali because he helped me to know more about the rudiment and tactic one can use to fight an opponent in the boxing ring.

How and where did you meet Bash Ali?

I met Bash Ali when I was a student in 2003 at National Institute For Sports. I introduced myself to him as Baale of Omole Land and told him that I selected boxing as my elective course. He advised me to come for more practical experience and come and watch him while training. That was how he lured me into boxing arena. I only trained under him for only six months after I completed my master Degree course at University of Lagos in 2004.

What can you say about Bash Ali during your time you trained with him?

I knew Bash Ali as a trained boxer and very committed in his boxing career. He trains like old soldier. Bash Ali is a man who would never allow somebody to humiliate him and prefer to die inside the ring. Bash Ali is a respected boxer in the world and ready to fight the cause of injustice without compromising.

Did you fight any notable boxer either from Nigeria or abroad before you quit boxing?

I did not fight any notable boxer. I only trained under Bash Ali and throughout my stay with him; I learnt many things about boxing and also learnt how can a boxer endure and develop cardio-vascular system during a bout.

At what point you dumped boxing and veered into football coaching?

I left boxing when I had a training fight with my colleague. During the fight, my opponent punched me on fore head and I fainted and only to be resuscitated some minutes later. During that period, I saw stars and since that time, I dumped boxing and showed interest in football coaching.

Bash Ali wants his name and Nigeria to be in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest boxer to win a world title if the Federal Government can support his fight, what is your take on this?

I will appeal to the government to support Bash Ali for this fight. We have a lot to achieve for allowing this fight to take place in Nigeria. First and foremost, the image of Nigeria will be projected, and the fight will attract many international boxers to come to Nigeria and watch the international bout. I pray that President Gooduck Jonathan to release the fund so that the fight will hold as quickly as possible.