Gotv Boxing Fight 11: Fans joyful as Ibadan hosts biggest boxing event
NAN-S-10
Boxing
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos March 24, 2017(NAN) Boxing enthusiasts on Friday in Lagos said they were happy with the organisers of the Gotv Boxing Championships for moving the venue of the 11th edition of the event from Lagos to Oyo.
The boxing competition which began in 2014, had witnessed 10 editions in Lagos, but the organisers have now fulfilled their promise to host the event in other states of the federation.
The boxing fight will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, formerly Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, with no fewer than seven fights taking the centre stage.
The event is organised by Flykite Productions and sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C).
Some fans told the News Agency of Nigeria, (NAN) that they were pleased with the development and praised the organisers for keeping the sport flourishing.
Boxing coach and former Commonwealth Champion, Obisia Nwakpa, told NAN that taking the competition to Ibadan would ignite the passion of the sport in the ancient city.
He said that Ibadan would draw a lot of crowd which would afford the organisers to see how the sport is gradually impacting the nation.
“The development is a welcome idea and as an ex-boxer, I can remember vividly the importance of the then Liberty Stadium on many boxing events of the past.
“The organisers have done well and one can only believe that through them, boxing is back in Nigeria,’’ Nwakpa said.
Jerry Okorodudu, another ex-international, described the idea as a move in the right direction, urging the boxers to give a good account of themselves.
“We are going to witness another explosive fight night at the Liberty Stadium, and I am impressed with the decision to take the fight out of Lagos.
“Oyo also is known for good following in boxing and it is great to see that a big event of this nature will hold in the city of Ibadan,’’ Okorodud said.
Joe Mensah, another sensational ex-international, told NAN that the event would ignite the city of Ibadan and expressed joy over the development.
“We have been expecting such a move and we are happy it has finally come, though living Lagos is tough for the fans, but we need to understand the target of the organisers.
“It is a welcome move and we hope to see the event staged in other states such Edo, Delta and Abuja,’’ Mensah said.
Efe Akpochi, Nigeria’s senior national team captain on his part wanted the fight to hold in Delta going by the number of boxers the state had produced.
“I think Delta would have been a better place because it is a home to many boxers apart from Lagos which is the Centre of Excellence.
“I hope the next edition will come to Delta as we are itching to showcase the best of the boxers the nation can boast of,’’Akpochi said. (NAN)
BAO/KOLE/ENN/PDE
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Ejiofor)