We are using NextGen Search to arrest decline in boxing, says Alumona

• Young pugilists invade Ilorin
The fifth edition of the Boxing NextGen Search campaign begins today in Ilorin, Kwara State capital. The programme, which ends tomorrow, will hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Kwara State Stadium Complex.

According to Flykite Productions, organisers of the programme, the NextGen Search aims to discover boxing talents aged between 18 and 25 and who are on the verge of turning professional.
 
Participating boxers will engage in sparring sessions supervised by prominent boxing coaches, who will select those considered capable of joining the professional ranks. Selected boxers will then have their professional boxing licences and pre-licensing medical examination paid for by the sponsors.

Flykite Productions CEO, Jenkins Alumona explained that the programme is one of the ways the sponsors are arresting the decline of the sport, which is marked by a limited pool of professional boxers.

“We are committed to improving boxing in Nigeria and the aim of the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search is to find a new crop of talented and aspiring boxers. We want to create a system that grooms younger replacements for those who are ageing and support them,” Alumona said.

Since its debut in 2016, the Boxing NextGen Search has produced stars such as Rilwan ‘Baby Face’ Babatunde, current West African Boxing Union (WABU) Champion; Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje, best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 19; and Opeyemi ‘Sense’ Adeyemi.The programme has been widely commended by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, Oyo State Boxing Association, Ogun State Boxing Association and the Kwara State Amateur Boxing Association.