‘No qualified boxing managers in Nigeria’

• Obisia, Lasisi, others speak at GOtv seminar 

TWO Nigerian boxing legends, Obisia Nwankpa and Joe Lasisi have come down hard on those managing young boxers in the country, describing them as ‘quacks.’

  Obisia and Lasisi were guest speakers at a seminar organized Wednesday by GOtv at the National Stadium in Lagos in preparation for the second edition of GOtv Boxing Night.

  Speaking on a topic: Boxer/Manager Relationships, Obisia and Lasisi lamented that some people, who called themselves boxing managers in the country, have directly destroyed the career of many young boxers in the country. 

  “Most of our boxing managers are not qualified,” Obisia said. “I was a professional boxer in Nigeria for four or five years and I didn’t know my right from left until I was sponsored to England, where I met good managers. If a boxer does not dress well, hold his manager responsible. If a boxer misbehaves on the streets or inside the ring, hold his manager respnsible.  

  “A good manager is like a father to the boxer. He thinks about the progress and exposure of his boxers all the time. Those managing our boxers in Nigeria are not qualified. The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) should not offer license to all manner of people who call themselves boxing managers,” Obisia added.

  Earlier, the duo of Jenkins Alumona of Flykite Productions and Sports journalist, Effiong Nyom, had spoken on Boxers’ Conduct and Image.

  Nyom said a good boxer is expected to conduct himself within the law guiding the game, adding that they must not be seen at some places to avoid being suspected.

  The Secretary of NBB of C, Remi Aboderin and Coach Joe Mensah spoke on a topic entitled: Managing your Boxing Career, just as Dr. Chike Ilukwe spoke on Safety inside the Boxing Ring.

  The seminar ended with a photo shoot for the boxers that will participate in the 2nd GOtv Boxing Night, which will hold on March 15 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

  The maiden GOtv Boxing Night, which featured six fights for professional boxers, took place on November 23, 2014 as part of the first steps to revive boxing in Nigeria.