NAN-S-8
Boxing
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Dec. 8, 2017 (NAN) Monsuru Liasu, the Chairman of Lagos State Boxing Association (LSBA), on Friday expressed confidence in Team Lagos’s ability to win the ongoing National Commonwealth Open Boxing Trials in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 32 boxers selected by the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) are currently fighting for honours at the Brai Ayonote Hall of the National Stadium.
The competition which began on Wednesday will end on Saturday, with the successful boxers making the final cut for the closed doors trials which begins on Dec. 17.
The closed doors trials will then be used to select boxers to represent Nigeria at the upcoming 21st Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast in Australia from April 4 to April 15.
Liasu told NAN that Team Lagos had presented the youngest set of boxers at the trials, tipping the boxers to live up to expectations at the Commonwealth Games.
He added that the competition was very important as it would also give the boxers the opportunity to showcase their skills at a bigger stage.
“It’s a very competitive boxing championship. So far we have seen boxers that are good enough to win gold medals at the Commonwealth Games.
“Overall, I am positive that Lagos State will produce the highest number of boxers than any other state or team in the championship.
“We have trained well for the competition and presented the youngest set of boxers good enough to take over from the ageing ones,’’ Liasu said.
Meanwhile, in some of the fights on day two of the event, Abasiama Moses of Cross River defeated Osophia Ekpe of Delta 3-2 in the 51kg event for women.
Yetunde Odunugu of the Nigerian Army beat Abiodun Ajayi from Bayelsa 3-2 in the 60kg event for women.
Abibat Ismael from Lagos defeated Deji Biodun from the Bone Crusher Club 3-2, while Falilat Tijjani from Ogun defeated Cynthia Semilore 3-2.(NAN)
BAO/ERO/OLAL
==============
(Edited by Emmanuel Okara and Olawale Alabi)