Return Of Victory Night Boxing Bouts Lights Up Teslim Balogun Stadium

The fully air-conditioned Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos was a beehive of activities on Sunday when the first edition of Ace’s Solid Sports Promotion’s packaged “Return of Victory Night” Boxing championship was staged.

It was a night full of boxing action from both the amateur and professional pugilists who entertained the fans among whom were the Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Hon. Babatunde Bank-Anthony, President of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr Rafiu Ladipo, Secretary General of the NBB of C, Remi Aboderin, former Olympians, Jerry Okorodudu, Obisia Nwankpa and a host of other boxing enthusiasts who paid gate fees to enter the sports hall.

Interestingly, three of the bouts in the professional cadre ended in technical knockouts. It was round one KO as Yusuf Olalekan beat Felix Odion in the flyweight challenge bout, Taiwo Agbaje stopped Tunde Olojede also in round one of their featherweight fight, while Nigerian Onoriode Ehiwareme knocked out Ghanaian Kofi Johnson in round four of their heavyweight bout.

Referees unanimous decisions gave Ganiyu Olawale the welterweight bout against Sunday Olalekan, also Hammed Ganiyu beat Samuel Opaogun in the light welterweight bout.

The amateur boxers really proved themselves worthy of moving up the ladder to the professional cadre. Olamide Mustapha won the female fight (bantamweight) against Adebayo Damilola, Aliu Ibrahim won the lightweight fight against Bernard Sunday. The light welterweight bout between Kabiru Salawu and Kazeem Saka ended in favour of Salawu.

Director General of Lagos State Sports Commission, Bank-Anthony described the turnout of boxing enthusiasts despite payment of gate fee as an encouragement that sporting activities can thrive in Lagos State. He noted that running of sports in Lagos is a public and private sectors partnership. He enjoined the promoter to consolidate on the success of the first edition of the Return of Victory Night.

The promoter himself, Mr Adeleke Adegbuyi said he has learnt a lot of lessons putting the maiden show together, adding that the next edition of the show which he plans for Calabar, Cross Rivers State later this year will be better organised.

According to the United Kingdom – based boxing promoter, the future is bright for professional boxing in Nigeria.