A country that looks after it’s own : Between United States’ Mike Tyson and Nigeria’s Bash Ali and the rest

Mike Tyson went very broke after quitting boxing 19 years ago. Today, his story has changed because his compatriots decided to be agents of positive change. He admitted his youthful errors leading to the mismanagement of his resources which landed him near penury.

However, his country, the sporting fraternity and stakeholders of boxing who felt he had given so much to the sport yet done America proud with his talent rallied round him. The Iroko must not fall.

They fixed a bout with a former blogger, Paul Jake thus, created an avenue for the legendary Iron Mike to smile home with a whopping $20m. It was an inconsequential fight which brought a lot of positive consequences in the life of Tyson.

It was deliberately put together to help him rebuild his life or better still help him bounce back as a “retirement benefit” even as he ages.

No one cared about his race, colour or skin. No one bothered to ask, which or what religion he practices? No one asked, whose son he was. No one queried him on what he did with the millions he made in boxing while he was champion. No one reminded him of how reckless and lavish he was with money during his youthful era.

It wasn’t about East, West, North or South. It was about giving life a meaning. It was about giving someone a shoulder to lean on. It was about being one’s brother’s keeper.

No one recalled how he gambled, went in and out of nite clubs, frolicked with women and lived a larger than life lifestyle which later crashed. All they wanted is for Tyson to age gracefully. All they wanted is to leave a legacy of ensuring the champion remains a champion.

He was simply helped. He was assisted. He was supported. He was lifted. He was revived. He was given hope again. He was brought back to life.

That’s what life is all about. Don’t condemn others. Don’t pass blames. don’t judge, don’t mock ; just help if you can and when necessary

Each time, our true heroes helplessly pass on as a result of poverty and or curable health challenges, I weep profusely. Tears flow in my eyes when I remember Jerry Okorodudu, Rashidi Yekini, Peter Fregene, Sebastian Brodericks, Mike Onyemachara, Emmanuel Ebiede and Thompson Oliha among others who served Nigeria but died as a result of avoidable situations.

A more recent example is the Nigerian icon, the undefeated World Cruiserweight champion, Bash Ali. At over sixty years and still sparring in the gym, he has for many years been asking the nation to sponsor a fight to enable him prove that Nigeria have some of the best athletes in the world despite his age.
Successive governments since Obasanjo have ignored his call. As usual, he was invited to the United States but he declines the invitation by sports loving enthusiasts on the grounds that Nigeria can earn over a billion dollar if it’s done here at home, a push that has seen Bash Ali in media bouts with Sports Ministers.

Now that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on the saddle, the world and indeed sports lovers in Nigeria are waiting to see how this government handle what has become a jinx with past Sports Ministers as Nigerian are asking if our Bash Ali will become the Nigerian Mike Tyson opening the door of appreciation for our aging sports men and women
However, it must be noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria has always shown interest in hosting this historic event in Nigeria and on three occasions, November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014 and on May 21, 2019 inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee with the office of the Chief of Staff of the President representing the Presidency.
The office of the Senate President and the office of the Speaker both representing the legislative arm of government.
The arrangement was that while the private sector will fund the historic event, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Sports sports will provide an enabling environment for a successful show.
The Fenders Government is also not putting up a dime for the fight but the big question remains why the various Sports Ministers were no patriotic enough to allow the fight see the light of the day
It is also surprising that despite the three inaugurations of the Local Organising Committee for the fight, the historic event is yet to see the light of the day because of corruption
But, now that President Tinubu has come on board with the renewed hope agenda, Nigeria and the rest of the world are looking forward to Bash Ali rewriting boxing history in Nigeria and earn a place in the Guinness World of Record Book as the oldest boxer to ever defend and fight for a world Boxing Championship Fight. The world is watching.

Culled from Pegasus Reporters, Lagos