The maiden World Boxing Council-Africa Boxing Union amateur tournament concluded in Lagos over the weekend and saw Nigerian boxers win 10 out of 11 bouts decided on the final day of the keenly contested championship.
42 boxers from eight countries across Africa participated in various weight categories at the tournament, held at the Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas indoor sports hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
Organized by Yucateco Boxing Promotions, the first-ever WBC-ABU Amateur Tournament serves as a qualifier to select boxers that will represent Africa at the World Championship billed to be held in Mexico later in the year.
With the country’s impressive performance, it was a question of which of Nigeria’s boxers would take home the WBC belts, and it was Precious Anine who defeated her compatriot, Anuoluwapo Akanni in the female 60kg final and David Akintola who outclassed Joshua Daniel in the male 75kg final that were decorated with the prestigious belts as the most valuable boxers.
Uganda’s BRENDA MADUWA, BATTLE NIHU and SHAKUR MUGAMBE fell short in the finals to settle for silver medals, but the trio are excited about the opportunity to compete at the international tournament.
MADUWA lost to PAULINE ASSOGBA of Benin Republic in the female 51kg, NUHU suffered defeat against Nigeria’s Olamilekan Akanbi in the male 69kg and MUGAMBE was beaten by Rilwan Salawu of Nigeria in the male 60kg.
The success of the maiden tournament has provided encouragement for Yucateco Boxing Promotions, to organize another sanctioned competition before the World Championship and give more boxers the platform to represent the continent in Mexico.
President of the African Boxing Union, Houcine Houichi, emphasized the need to have more such competitions that will provide exposure to amateur boxers to international competitions.
“What Yucateco has done should be commended by boxing nations around the world because this is truly groundbreaking in Africa, the WBC and the ABU will continue to collaborate with Yucateco in advancing the course of amateur boxing in Africa”.
While commending Imadu for his passion and commitment to the growth of the sport, Houichi, who is also Vice President of WBC, hopes that the event will inspire more investment in amateur boxing across the continent.
“I am confident that other boxing outfits in Africa have been encouraged by what Yucateco has done, My friend Imadu has set the pace, and it’s time for others to show their willingness for further collaborations”.
The three-day tournament started with the WBC-ABU Referees and Judges course to upgrade and update the knowledge of ring officials who were awarded certificates during the closing ceremony of the amateur championship.