Nigerian fuji music icon, Abass Akande Obesere, has revealed that he almost became a professional boxer when he was much younger.
While revealing that he as well had a passion for football while growing up, the fuji legend, who is also known as Omo Rapala and Oba Alasakasa, disclosed that he trained actively in boxing.
The fuji maestro, who has also collaborated with some popular hip-hop artistes to produce hit singles over the years, stated further that he chose to be a musician because it was a tradition in his family.
Observe disclosed at length, “People used to know me more as a fan of boxing than football many years back”.
“That was because I actually went for training in boxing, but I never trained for football … it was just a passion for me.”
“That was because I initially wanted to become a professional boxer, but God said that was not my way.”
“I thought my journey would take the boxing route, but our elders say you should think fast when you get to a certain point in your journey.”
Obesere then unfolded the natural, spiritual and domestic issues that eventually took him away from boxing and into music, through which he has become a globally renowned entertainer.
The native of Oyo State capital, Ibadan, recalled, “I had really gone far in my boxing journey, until I realised that I came from a family of musicians”.
“It was not a case of trying to copy people who were making money through music, but I took it up because it was a tradition in my family.”
“I come from a family of drummers and singers. It means that was meant to be my route from the beginning, but we human beings don’t usually see our real calling early in life.”
“If you don’t see people that can tell you this is the way, or if you don’t hear the right instructions from God, you might derail.”
“For me, I thank God that he did not leave me alone for too long before showing me the way, and I then realised that I was meant to be a musician, not a boxer.”
The expert in forming trending slangs in his hit songs will clock 60 years on Mother Earth come the 20th of next month, but he still has clear memories of days gone by long ago in his life.
He however, denied reports which once stated that he threatened to punch some youths who tried to extort money from him at a popular television station in the Yaba area of Lagos State.
Obesere stressed, “Though I was good in boxing, I never showed anyone my fists, nor did I ever try to punch someone.
“That’s because the boxing I went to learn was in a professional way.”
“We were taught that a professional boxer must not threaten anyone in public or even play with punches.
“That’s why I did not even parade myself as a boxer for anyone to see what I could do.
“Everthing I did was in a gentle manner, and I am always calm.”
The fuji ace, who is also fondly called ‘Sidophobia’ by some of his fans, concluded by explaining his affinity with street urchins commonly called ‘area boys’ in the Lagos metropolis.
“If you talk about area boys, I like them, and they like me; but they know I do not like trouble.”
“They know that what they need is in my hand … which is money … and they know I will give them some of it.
“However, I may not have enough money sometimes while on a journey.
“At that point, because we understand one another well, and they know that I often give them money when I have it, they will understand me once I tell them until next time. They will then quickly clear the way.
“They know that I always give, and they don’t have to force me to give them when they ask me.
“They know that my belief is that they too will soon have a turnaround in their lives, and things will be better for them than it presently is.
“God is ready to bring many people out of every situation. Therefore, everything we do today will become a pleasant story in future,” sermonised Obesere, who survived a life-threatening surgery in August 2024.