I’m fully committed to boxing promotion – De Lads boss

Chief Executive Officer of De Lads Boxing Promotions, Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi has declared that not minding the absence of corporate or government support, he will never give up promoting fights, declaring that boxing is a sports he loves with passion and want it grow.

He stated this, Sunday, June 30, 2024 at the end of the Season 8 of his ‘Battle of Ages’ tournament tagged ‘ Total Destruction ‘ held at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Institute For Sports (NIS), National Stadium, Lagos.

According to him, Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents in the pugilist game who need regular fights, exposure and support to excel in the noble act of self defence just as he expressed happiness that he’s achieving his target of making Nigeria the Mecca of professional boxing in Africa.

” I want to say it loud and clear that boxing is a sports I love with passion and will continue to put my money in it not minding whether there’s is any support from anywhere or not.

” My happiness is that since I began promoting fights, we’re gradually changing the face of the sports both at the amateur and the paid ranks and I’ll continue to partner with the NBB of C to ensure that the promotions are not only sustained but to produce world champion in no distant time.

On why he chose ‘Total Destruction’ for Season 8 fight, he explained that boxing is like going to war and the language soldiers understand during war is destruction and I’m happy that all the fights lived up to that word and the fans truly enjoyed every action in all the fights.

Speaking further, he stated that he’s looking forward to a time when boxers in the country will be smiling to the banks with good purse as that will make the game more attractive.

“I’m pained that our boxers are still receiving little purse. I’m looking forward to the day when an average boxer will go home with nothing less than a million naira after every fight because they spend a lot of money training, taking care of themselves and buying kits. But I know that we’re gradually getting there”, he stressed.

In his remarks, President of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control ( NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo noted that the board will ever remain grateful to De Lads Promotions for the glamour it has brought to boxing promotion in the country and charged other promoters to emulate them.

General Secretary of NBB of C who also doubles as President of West African Boxing Union (WABU), Remi Aboderin expressed happiness that all the 11 bouts on the card lived up to expectation with an assurance that the board will continue to create an enabling environment for promoters.

Meanwhile, in the first fight of the night, Taye Fajimi recorded a unanimous points decision against Segun Gbobaniyi in their National Super Lightweight Challenge contest while Emmanuel Abimbola defeated Semiu Olapade by third round technical knockout in their National Lightweight fight just as the National Super Lightweight Challenge contest between William Amosu and Samuel Opaogun ended in a draw.

Fighting in the Cruiserweight division, knockout specialist, Franklin Arinze wasted no time in stopping Godwin Ambrose in the 4th round even as Afolabi Shittu knocked out Ibrahim Adewale in the second round of their National Super Lightweight fight.

The National Super Lightweight Challenge contest between Toheed Hassan and Akanji Moruf was won by the latter by a 2-1 split point decision while Super Flyweight champion, Siffon Iwatt lost by unanimous decision to Nurudeen Salao who later challenged him for a title defence fight.

Fighting Police Man, Olanrewaju Durudola beat his challenger, Idris Afini by 8th round technical knockout in their Cruiserweight fight with Raheem Animashaun recording a unanimous points decision against Ojo Arabambi while the National Super Featherweight contest between Azeez Lateef and Sikiru Shogbesan ended in a draw.
The main bout of the night, saw the emergence of a new West African Boxing Union, Light heavyweight champion, Lekan Muibi who dethroned the champion, Segun Olanrewaju A.K.A Success by a unanimous decision.

All the fights were sanctioned by the NBB of C while the title fight was sanctioned by both the NBB of C and West African Boxing Union ( WABU).