Boxers in war of words, as GOtv up prize to N1.5m

Nobody can stop me, Eribo boasts the countdown begins ahead of the December 26 GOtv Boxing Night in Lagos, all the contenders are already laying claim to the N1.5 million prize money. To improve on the standard of the tournament, which is already making great impact in reviving boxing in Nigeria, GOtv says the best boxer at the fifth edition will go home with N1.5 million cash prize in addition to his fighter’s purse.

The last two winners of the award won N1m in addition to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial trophy for best boxer. Promoter of the bout, Jenkins Alumona, said that GOtv decided to increase the cash prize to further motivate all participating boxers. The four-fight professional boxing event will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Boxing Day (December 26).

Alumona said that GOtv Boxing Night V would depart from its six-fight format by adopting four fights. “We have lined up four big fights. Last year, we promised that we would have a continental title fight in Nigeria and we are glad to announce there will be one at GOtv Boxing Night V.

There are also two national title fights and a national challenge contest,” he stated. National and West African Boxing Union Featherweight champion, Waidi Usman, will attempt to add the African Boxing Union title to his honours, when he faces Kenya’s Michael Nyawade in a 12-rounder.

The Kenyan is coming with an impressive record of 12 wins (nine Knock Outs), three losses and two draws in 14 fights. The Nigerian, Usman, has had 11 fights, winning 10 (nine KOs) and losing one.

In another fight, Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo will face Sunday “Capo” Olalekan in a 12-round National Welterweight title bout, while Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi attempt to snatch the Light Welterweight belt from Sadiq Ahmed in the second National title bout.

The Super Middleweight challenge contest is between Sunday “Golden Child” Ajuwa and Rasheed “Afonja Warrior” Abolaji. Meanwhile, Eribo has boasted that he would beat Olalekan like a child in their 12-round National Welterweight title bout. “My target is the N1.5 million prize money and I don’t see Olalekan stopping me,” Eribo told The Guardian yesterday.