NBB of C decorates Idowu Rasheed with UBO African belt
Nigerian boxer, Idowu ‘ID Burster’ Rasheed who was controversially denied victory in Ghana early last month was Wednesday, May 1, 2024 decorated with his title belt as the new Universal Boxing Organisation African Light heavyweight champion.
It would be recalled that Idowu Rasheed of the Francis Aiyegbeni Boxing Club , Ibadan with a record of seven fights in which he won five, drew one and lost one, on Saturday April 13, 2024 at Kawakude Park, Nima, Accra, Ghana knocked out more experienced Ghanaian boxer, Bastie Samir in round two of their title fight after which his opponent was stretched to the hospital to be revived but to the astonishment of all, the Ghanaian officials declared the fight a technical draw.
This prompted the Secretary General of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control ( NBB of C), Remi Aboderin to send the video clips of the fight to the President of Universal Boxing Organisation and after careful review, the fight was awarded to the Nigerian and the belt sent to the country for presentation to the boxer.
Presenting the belt to Idowu Rasheed, President of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo described the boxer as a true champion who did the country proud in Ghana.
He explained that the NBB of C decided to wade into the matter to ensure that the real champion was not robbed of victory with a declaration that his board will continue to protect the interest of the country’s boxers as they’ll not allow any Nigerian boxer to be cheated.
“It’s a thing of joy that the injustice meted out to our boxer was corrected by the boxing body and the true champion presented with his belt.
“We decided to come into the matter and ensure that justice is done because in the past, we’ve seen boxers from other African countries come here to beat our boxers without being robbed of victory.
” You will remember that some time ago, a Kenyan boxer came to Ibadan and defeated one of our boxers in the presence of his home fans and we did not make any attempt to favour our boxer and that’s how it’s supposed to be done”, he stressed.
Ladipo while commending his coach for a job well done and the scribe of the boxing body, Remi Aboderin for the role he played in ensuring that Rasheed got justice announced that plans are on the pipeline to present the boxer to the Governor of Osun State; his home State, Senator Ademola Adeleke and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde as well as traditional rulers in both states for their fatherly blessings and financial support.
He however advised the boxer to be disciplined, respect his coach, be focused and take his training serious, reminding him that he has six months to defend the title.
Speaking at the occasion, Secretary General of NBB of C who also doubles as President of West African Boxing Union ( WABU), Remi Aboderin while expressing happiness that justice was gotten reminded the boxer that the title is a stepping stone to more successes even as he charged him to be steadfast with a promise that the board will always defend it’s boxers.
In separate interviews, Chairman of Oyo State NBB of C, Honourable, Gbenga Opaleye, his coach, Michael Jombo and the boxer thanked the leadership of Nigerian Boxing Board of Control for all their support in upturning the injustice.
The Oyo NBB of C chairman said, ” We’re really grateful to the national body for helping our boxer claim his title which shows that the interest of our fighters and development of professional boxing in the country is their topmost priority.
“My promise is that we at Oyo State will continue to produce more champions for the country because our board since assumption of office has produced many boxers including a world champion in the person of Ridwan ‘ Scorpion ‘ Oyekola and now African champion and we’ll continue to produce more because we have many talented boxers in the state”, he concluded.
