The President Nigeria Boxing board of Control (NBBoC) Dr. Rafiu Ladipo has commended the organizers of the much anticipated epic boxing bouts tagged: Ileya Boxing Fiesta, Lewis Boxing Promotion, owned by a Nigerian born boxing promoter, Henry Lewis that has its headquarters in Austria.
Dr. Ladipo stated this while speaking at a press conference held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium Ibadan, formerly Liberty Stadium, the venue of the boxing event scheduled for a day after 2019 Eid-Kabir (Ileya), August 12, where the NBBoC Secretary, Remi Aboderin, boxers and representatives of Lewis promotion were all in attendance.
Ladipo said only big investor/promoter such as Lewis could help the NBBoC in its drive to totally revive Nigerian boxing and restore the lost glory of the country in the world of boxing.
“I am quite delighted with what is happening here today. I was also a boxer here in Ibadan, at Oke-Foko in the early 70s, the likes of late Joseph Ladipo popularly known as Jossy Lad, Muili Ojo were all boxers before I moved to Lagos, so I’m a proud Ibadan man.
“Ibadan is a traditional home to Nigerian boxing and it has played a significant role in the history of Nigerian boxing, hence I am delighted seeing Lewis Promotion bringing back a big boxing show to Ibadan, I can’t wait to be part of the epic boxing show”, said NBBoC boss.
Meanwhile top boxers paired to tackle each other at the event have vowed to deal with each other while speaking ahead of the big fight as Oladosu Rilwan and Moses Samuel engaged in a cross fire while two female boxers, Latifat Salami and Blessing Godwin that will battle in a middle-weight bout pointed at each other’s faces.
The big fight of the day is the Ridwan Oyekola Scorpion confronting Isaac Dawuona, a Ghanaian who plies his trade in the United States of America in a continental boxing challenge while Akeem Sadiku Dodo will also tackle Lokossou Jacob from the Republic of Benin in another continental bout.
Meanwhile, Michael Ovie who spoke on behalf of Lewis Promotions assured the spectators of safe and secured atmosphere where a family can come around and enjoy boxing actions considering the tight security arrangement put in place by the organizers. “We know Ibadan boxing fans are not troublemakers, but yet we have made arrangements to secure the entire stadium with military officers, Mobile Policemen, security dog bearers, anti-bomb unit of the Nigerian police and men from reputable private security outfits”, Lewis Promotion man noted.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
