Taiwo ‘Eshepo’ Agbaje crowned new WBA Africa Lightweight champion

Hard-fighting Taiwo ‘Eshepo’ Agbaje emerged as the new WBA Africa Lightweight champion on Sunday night after a closely contested bout with Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo in the Battle of the Ages: Clash of the Unbeaten held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The headline fight, which drew hundreds of boxing fans from the boxers’ bases in Mushin and Agege, was a tough duel as both fighters threw powerful punches to the admiration of spectators.

At the end of the ten-round encounter, Agbaje secured a unanimous points decision to be crowned champion.

Speaking shortly after the tension soaked encounter, the new champion gave kudos to his opponent for giving him a good fight but was quick to add that his determination and experience did the magic for him.

” I’m highly excited being crowned the new African champion, You’re aware that I did promise to knock my opponent down but it didn’t work out that way and I give him kudos for being a good and dogged boxer.he said

Chairman De Lads boxing promotion, Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi, expressed happiness at the unprecedented crowd that turned up, saying it is good for Nigerian boxing. He appealed to corporate organizations to take interest in the sport and help take professional boxing in the country to a higher level.

President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, and Secretary General, Remi Aboderin, said that professional boxing in Nigeria is on track.

In other fights on the De Lads Boxing Championship card, Oluwatosin Adeshina recorded a unanimous decision over Toheeb Hassan in their National Featherweight Challenge contest, while Wahab Kukoyi knocked out Ezeikel Seun in the third round of their 6-round National Super Bantamweight challenge fight.

Afolabi Shittu defeated David Tagoe of Ghana by unanimous decision in an International Bantamweight challenge contest. Lawal Ahmed recorded another unanimous decision over Oluwasegun Gbobaniyi in their National Lightweight Challenge contest, just as Taye Fajimi edged Sadam Oladipupo via split points decision in their National Light Welterweight challenge contest.

All the fights were sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C).