President of the African Boxing Union, Houcine Houichi, has expressed excitement about the maiden World Boxing Council amateur tournament held in Lagos.
The ABU President, who arrived in Lagos on Wednesday night ahead of the historic event, believes the long-awaited initiative will enhance the growth of the sport and open opportunities for amateur boxers.
The wait is over as the eagerly anticipated World Boxing Council/ African Boxing Union Amateur Boxing Tournament commences in Lagos today, with boxers from different countries across Africa competing for honours.
The first-ever WBC/ABU Amateur Boxing Tournament organized by Lagos-based Yucateco Boxing Promotions has been described as a big boost for the sport; the groundbreaking event will also serve as the qualifier for the World Cup held in Mexico later in the year.
With the prestigious world governing body, WBC, under President Mauricio Sulaimán, sanctioning the tournament with the blessings of the continental body, the President of the African Boxing Union, Houcine Houichi, flew into Lagos ahead of the commencement of the three-day event.
The ABU President was received on his arrival at the Muritala Muhammed International Airport by delegates led by the Chief Executive Officer of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Honorable Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, who is also the President of the Boxing Promoters Association of Nigeria and International Vice President of the body, Saleh Fawaz.
The ABU President stated that the tournament is long overdue and commended the efforts of the organizers, Yucateco Boxing Promotions, for bringing the epoch-making event into reality. Houichi held high hopes for the tournament and the opportunity it would create for boxing talents in Africa.
“I am so excited to be in Nigeria for this historic event, I have been in constant touch with the CEO of Yucateco my very good friend Imadu in the past few weeks discussing his team’s readiness for the event and making bold to say they a truly prepared based on all I have seen since I arrived in Lagos”
The event, which serves as a qualifier for the maiden WBC Amateur Boxing World Cup in Mexico, will feature pugilists from eight African countries. The boxers will compete in eight weight divisions for the male category, while fights will be held in five weight classes for the female event. The Most Valuable boxers in both categories will be decorated with the prestigious WBC Amateur title belts.
The Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium Lagos will host the bouts from Thursday, 6th, to Saturday, February 8th.