The newly elected Chairman of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and former African Boxing champion, Joe Lasisi have visited the family left behind by boxing champion, Dele Jonathan who died on Saturday April 29th in his Challenge Elewura Ibadan home.
Both Ladipo and Lasisi were full of tears as they signed the condolence register in honour of the late former Commonwealth boxing champion.
Dr. Ladipo who was accompanied by the secretary of NBBofC Remi Aboderin and other members with the crew of Oyo State Amateur Boxing Association (OSABA) on a condolence visit to Ibadan over the weekend amid tears described the death of Dele Jonathan as a great loss to the Nigerian boxing family saying it would take time to get his replacement.
The NBBofC boss who could not hide his sadness and regrets while speaking with the widow of the late boxer, Mrs. Adenike Jonathan owning to the circumstances that led to the death of Jonathan pledged to do everything within his capacity to ensure a good welfare for other ageing boxers that had done the country proud.
The deceased for the past seven years according to family battled very hard with his health after he was diagnosed of prostate enlargement at the University College Hospital (UCH) where he was only able to pay for the first phase of his surgery but could not afford the cost for further medical care.
Also speaking, Joe Lasisi who wept uncontrollable prayed God to be with the family Jonathan left behind, saying that their generation was not as fortunate as the modern day’s boxers who now earn big fortunes from the trade unlike when the likes of Dele Jonathan and himself became continental champions.
The family of the deceased has however, picked November 2017 with no specific date to bury the boxing icon so as to ensure a befitting burial and allow all his children to attend the funeral.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
