Friday, March 6, promises to deliver a thrilling climax as the battle for the 10 available boxing tickets at the Commonwealth Games trials reaches its grand finale.

From the 128 boxers—comprising 101 men and 27 women—who began the competition on Tuesday, March 3, the final squad that will represent Nigeria in boxing at the Commonwealth Games will be determined at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, located within the National Stadium Lagos.

According to the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), the final bouts across 10 weight categories will be decided today, generating excitement among both home-based and diaspora boxers who took part in the four-day championship.

The Secretary-General of the federation, Vivian Azimene, said the boxers who emerge from the trials will proceed to a national training camp in preparation for the Games.

She added that some outstanding athletes who participated in the trials would also be invited to serve as sparring partners for the selected team.
“We are excited about the turnout of the event, and we hope we can continue our exploits at the Games this year because Nigeria has always been among the outstanding teams whenever boxing is featured,” she said.

In one of the bouts decided on Thursday, March 5, in the men’s 75kg category, Wahab Abdulrahman defeated Qudus Adeniji to advance to the last four, while Quadri Ilori beat Israel Ogbodo by split decision to progress to the semifinals.

More than 80 bouts have already been decided in the tournament, with several diaspora athletes making their presence felt through impressive performances against their homegrown counterparts.

Nigeria is expected to present boxers in 10 weight categories—five for men (55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, and 90kg) and five for women (51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, and +70kg).

Nigeria was among the medal-winning teams at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. With nine boxers led by captain Abdul-Afeez Osoba, the team returned home with four medals—one silver won by Elizabeth Oshoba, and three bronze medals secured by Cynthia Ogunsemilore, Jacinta Umunnakwe, and Ifeanyi Onyekwere.

Boxing is among the 10 sports listed for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, scheduled to take place from July 24 to August 1 at the SEC Centre in Glasgow.

Fourteen boxing events—seven each for men and women—will be contested as part of a broader sports programme that includes athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, netball, bowls, and basketball.