Boxing: IIlo retains WBU title, sets eye on world title
By Ifeanyi Eduzor
West African boxing Union Light heavyweight champion Great Jude Ilo has brightened his chances of having a crack at the WBC title when he successfully defended his title for the second time in less than three months.
In a well attended fight held Sunday at the Beats and Bites Hotels, Agege, a suburb of Lagos and tagged “LASGIDI” Boxing Night 7, the hard pinching fighter used a combination of good foot work and hard punches to pummel his opponent .Jamiru Tyson to submission in the second round of their 8 rounds encounter to announce his readiness to face WBC champion, Mexican Saul Alvares Camelo.
Speaking shortly after the fight, the toe- to- toe specialist explained that his quick victory was an evidence of hard work and good training noting that he is now prepared more than ever before to move on with his career even as he stated that he will not rest on his oars until he wins the World title.
“This is just the beginning of what to expect from me. You know that last two months, I also defeated my opponent in the second round which is evidence of good training, hard work and consistency.
‘ Right now, am particularly interested in having a shot at the world title and these fights are just to prepare me for the task ahead and I know that very soon Camelo will vacate that belt for me ‘, he sounded confidently.
Meanwhile in the other fights of the night, former WBA African Cruiserweight champion, Tony Salam Sugar, announced his comeback with a second round technical knockout over Babatunde Akim while Ekwueme Chima recorded a first round technical knockout over Jeku Williams in their national heavyweight challenge just as Kabiru Salami defeated Fatai Bello in the second round of their national welterweight weight challenge contest with Suleman Jafaru defeating Ali Shuaibu in the first round of their national Super welterweight challenge contest .
In the female category, high rising Bantamweight boxer, Abosede Obisanya over powered Mariam Ayonimi in the first round while debutant Bolatito Oluwole beat another new comer Mary Eze in the first round of their national Light heavyweight challenge contest.
The main bout of the night, saw Godday Appah recording a unanimous points decision victory over former national/ West African Super middleweight champion, Rasheed Afonja ‘ Warrior ‘ Abolaji.
The fight was sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and promoted by Saleh Promotions.
…Saleh Promotions committed to boxing revival- Fawaz
Chief Executive Officer of Saleh Boxing Promotions, Saleh Fawaz says his outfit is committed to ensuring that talented Nigerian boxers are encouraged to get to the pinnacle of their profession.
Saleh Promotions last Sunday organized the 7th edition of its boxing promotion which he explained was to give talented boxers opportunity to excel and become world champions in the pugilist game.
“We at Saleh Promotions are aware that Nigeria boosts of many talented boxers who need encouragement and regular fights to be ranked by the various world boxing bodies and that’s why we’re promoting fights regularly and we’re getting the desired result.
“You’re aware that last time the 6th edition in the series was held at Ijora-Badia and we now moved it to another Lagos suburb, Agege because we know that these areas have produced great boxers in the past and still have many raw talents waiting to be discovered and I’m happy with the huge crowd that turned out for the fights”, he stressed.
Saleh was optimistic that with adequate government and corporate support, his company will produce many world champions for the country.
“Boxing promotion is capital intensive and most times you find it difficult to recoup your investment and that’s why it’s important that government at all levels and corporate Nigeria extend financial support to us and I can assure them that we will not only take away many youths from the street and reduce crime in the society but we’ll also produce many world champions for the country,” he concluded.
