Historic as Core Afrique stages first NBF-sanctioned pro boxing event

Fight records updated on BoxRec

History was made at the weekend as the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) staged its first sanctioned professional boxing event in Lagos.

The six-bout card, promoted by Core Afrique Boxing Promotions at Argon Sports Centre in Sijibomi, Elepe, Ikorodu, on Saturday drew stakeholders from across the sport in a colourful atmosphere.

Hostilities got under way with a Super Bantamweight (55.3kg) six-round contest between Emmanuel Friday and Hammed Qudus, with Friday prevailing via unanimous decision.

In the National Lightweight (61.2kg) showdown, Qudus Adebayo showed grit and technique to triumph over Lucky James on a unanimous decision. Quadri Ilori defeated Ayomide Kasali in their National Super Lightweight (63.5kg) encounter, while in the National Welterweight (66.7kg) contest, Taiwo Tomiwa recorded a first-round knockout of Ayobami Okpeyemi at 36 seconds. Peter Ejieke sent Olanrewaju Saheed to the canvas in the National Super Middleweight (76.2kg) showdown, securing a knockout win at 2:51.

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The National Middleweight (72.1kg) contest between Adeniji Bolajoko and Kazeem Lawal was closely fought, with Lawal clinching victory on a split decision.

Fight records were updated on BoxRec within hours of the event concluding.

Core Afrique Boxing Promotions CEO Olusola Ayodele expressed his satisfaction with the standard of organisation and professionalism on display.

"Firstly, I must appreciate the Nigeria Boxing Federation for its ongoing reforms in the sport. I make bold to say that the era of fake professional fight records is over — it is truly a new dawn for pro boxing in Nigeria, and I am calling on all stakeholders to embrace this positive trajectory," Ayodele said.

As part of its ongoing reforms, the NBF has established a professional boxing arm to oversee pro boxing activities in the country.