Sports
Nigeria’s Animashaun Becomes West Africa’s Youngest Boxing Champion
The 16-year-old sensation secured a victory via a sixth-round technical knockout against Ghana’s Richman Ashelley, who opted not to continue in the seventh round during the bout, which was promoted by De-Lads Boxing Promotions.
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After the fight, Baddo expressed satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging that while he had hoped for a fifth-round knockout, his strategy of wearing down his opponent from the opening round ultimately led to Ashelley’s defeat.
“My initial plan was to end the fight before the fifth round, but my opponent, whom I would describe as an experienced fighter, avoided my knockout blows, which prompted me to revert to weakening his ribs and other parts of his body, which paid off with his not answering the bell for the seventh round,” the teenager said.
Baddo described the title as a stepping stone toward winning more accolades and praised Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi, President of De-Lads Boxing Promotion, for his investment in the sport. He noted that Alabi’s involvement in boxing promotion has given hope to talented young athletes.
“This title is just a stepping stone to my winning more titles in the future because I believe I have the qualities of Rocky Marciano, Azumah Nelson, Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard, Iron Mike Tyson, and Anthony Joshua to become the undisputed champions of the world,” he stressed.
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All the bouts were sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) and sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation and Startimes.
Fight promoter Alhaji Waheed Alabi expressed his satisfaction with the successful conclusion of the 9th edition, which featured an international title fight. He promised that the 10th edition would be even more glamorous. Alabi emphasized that with his promotional efforts in both amateur and professional boxing, more Nigerian fighters will soon be competing for continental and world titles.
NBBofC General Secretary, Remi Aboderin, commended the young champion and De-Lads Boxing Promotions, saying, “we thank De-Lads for their continued involvement in helping develop boxing in the country, and we at the NBBofC will continue to support all.”
In other matches of the eventful night, Akeem Olayiwola secured a unanimous decision victory over Williams Amosu in their light-welterweight contest, while Segun Adeyemi defeated Semiu Olapade with a seventh-round TKO in another light-welterweight bout. Ezekiel Seun earned a 2-1 split decision against Agboola Durotimi in their super-bantamweight contest.
In the super-featherweight clash, Akanji Moruf won by unanimous decision against Ojo Arabambi, and the light-welterweight fight between Emmanuel Abimbola and Isaac Chukwudi ended in a draw. Another draw was recorded in the light-welterweight contest between Adeshina Oluwatosin and Sulaimon Hammed. Taiwo Olowu delivered the night’s fastest fight, knocking out Yakubu Faruq in the first round of their National Light-Welterweight Challenge.
The night also featured a special moment when Mistura Idowu was awarded a N500,000 cheque for winning the Bet9ja Foundation trophy as the best amateur boxer, along with exciting gifts from the official broadcaster, Startimes.
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