Top boxers from Abuja and other states dazzled at the one-day tournament organised by the Boxing & MMA Hall of Fame at the Abuja Continental Hotel with the top pugilists jostling for places in the end-of-year grand finale scheduled for December.
In some of the boxing bouts decided, Israel Makinde of Lagos defeated Abibullahi Jamadeen of Oyo in the men’s 51kg, Habeebulah Foazy of Oyo outpunched Kasim Aliu of Abuja in the 45kg, while Kukoyi Wahab of Lagos overwhelmed Olalekan Abali of Abuja to claim the title in the 57kg.
In the men’s 71kg, Michael Babalola of Lagos was at his best against Fatai Moshood of Oyo, Abdulmalik Kazim of Abuja beat Abdulmalik Ameed of Kwara in 52kg, Garuba Sodiq of Abuja was too much for Bidemi Clement of Ondo in the 64kg and Philip Peter of Abuja floored Muritala Ibrahim of Kano in the 69kg.
In the women’s title fight, Helen Joseph of Abuja defeated Fatia Lukman of Oyo in the 63kg.
Initiated by sports enthusiast, philanthropist, and Minister of Finance Mr Wale Edun 14 years ago, the Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame has been instrumental in the training and nurturing of top-level boxers in Nigeria.
As part of this development program, two African Games Gold medalists, Ifeanyi Onyekwere and Blessing Oraekwe were sponsored by Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame to attend the second and final Paris Olympic Games Qualifying tournament in Bangkok, Thailand with the aim to have more boxers representing Nigeria at the Paris Olympics this year. The two boxers will also be camped at the Boxing and MMA Hall of Fame gym in Lagos ahead of the qualifiers this month.
The Abuja event was attended by former Minister of Information Lai Mohammed and some lawmakers with the ex-minister commending the organisers for showing interest in the development of lots of the youth and by putting such a well-organised tournament together.
A representative of Abuja Continental Hotel, Lawrence Ochenje, said, “It is a pleasure to have you here for this exciting event. Youth development has been greatly influenced by sports globally, and we are honoured to play a part in hosting this championship. The Abuja Continental has a rich history of hosting various international, local, and monumental events with exceptional hospitality standards since the 1990s.”
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