Boxers promise fireworks at ‘Fight for Liberty’

Boxers, organisers and officials have promised an explosive night of action at the “Fight for Liberty” event, hosted by Prizefighting, holding on Saturday, July 4, at the NIS Gymnasium of the National Stadium, Surulere, with 11 fights sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control lined up for fans.

President of the NBBofC, Rafiu Oladipo, commended the organisers, particularly Miyen Akiri, for their consistency and loyalty to the board during the press conference on Friday at the Brai Ayanote Boxing Gym, noting that Nigerian boxing had endured for 79 years.

“I want to thank the organisers of the fight, particularly Miyen Akiri, for the consistency and loyalty to the NBBofC, as we have been doing boxing for 79 years now. This is my appeal to the boxers to take care of themselves, and I wish them the very best of luck for tomorrow. And I want to congratulate the organisers for putting this together,” Oladipo said.

The NBBofC Vice President, Prince Adetoye Olofin, also congratulated the boxers and revealed that the board would continue to pursue the growth of the sport in the country.

Secretary-General of the NBBofC, Remi Aboderin, described the honour of witnessing the event’s preparations and assured that the board would not disappoint the promoter.

“It’s a great honour to be here today.

We, the NBBofC, want to thank the promoter, as he has solidly stood behind us, and we won’t disappoint him. The fights will be exciting and explosive for boxing fans, based on the array of boxers that are on the lineup.

“So come one and come all, and see what we have to offer in Nigerian boxing,” Aboderin said.

Akiri said Prizefighting valued its relationship with the NBBofC and disclosed that the World Boxing Board (WBB) had sent a championship belt from the United States for the event, adding that Prizefighting would continue its partnership with the board.

“We appreciate the relationship we have built with the NBBofC. The WBB once sent a belt all the way from the United States because of this relationship and that shows the level of recognition this platform has earned. Prizefighting will continue this romance with the NBBofC,” Akiri said.

Also speaking, Honourable Godwin Ikuru urged the NBBofC, Prizefighting and the boxers to continue chasing greatness, insisting that self-belief remained key to success in the sport.

“I want to say that any man that wants others to be great will also be great. So I will say to the NBBofC, Prizefighting and the boxers, continue to chase greatness. I really love boxing, and I will urge you to be courageous. And when you believe in yourself, there is no mountain you cannot climb,” Ikuru said.

Ahead of Saturday’s card, which begins at 4pm, two of the fighters engaged in a war of words. Durodola Olanrewaju warned his opponent against pre-fight boasting, while Sodiq Akano fired back with a bold prediction.

“Whatsoever you say today will be used against you tomorrow. Don’t brag now,” Olanrewaju said.

“I’ll make sure I drop Olanrewaju at round four. I’ll show him my talent tomorrow, and I believe in myself,” Akano responded.

The fight card, listed in order of occurrence, features Abiodun Muyideen against Opeyemi Ibraheem in the super bantamweight opening bout, Semiu Olopade against Sadam Oladipupo (welterweight), Sadiq Popoola against Samuel Elegbede (middleweight), Yusuf Ogunbunmi against Ibukun Opaje (super lightweight), Adebayo Dada against Kola Adeyemo (lightweight), Ganiu Olaitan against Tunde Azeez (cruiserweight), and Hazmat Idris against Oluwashina Ayomikun Balogun (middleweight).

The undercard continues with Ezekiel Igbozurike against Sunday Abudu in the heavyweight division, before the main events get underway with Olanrewaju “God’s Power” Durodola facing Sodiq Akano in an eight-round cruiserweight bout, Temitope “TNT” Ademulere taking on Tanjar Defence over eight rounds in the super lightweight division, and Samson “Big Chocolate” Kazeem headlining against Anselme Gnansingbe in a ten-round heavyweight main event.