Nigeria’s Abdulwahab Abdulrahman and Precious Anine have emerged as champions of the Yucateco boxing Pan-African Title championship. The event, which headlines week 5 of the Yucateco boxing league Season 2, was held in Uzebba, Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State on Wednesday.
It was a battle between Egypt and Nigeria in the Male and Female category of the historic contest in amateur boxing in Africa. Homegirl Precious Anine, who hails from Uzebba, was the first to bedazzle the fans as she dominated Egypt’s Hagar Elsayed in the first three rounds of their 60kg contest before the Egyptian champion threw in the towel in the 4th round.
An elated Anine said her family and fans motivated her performance, and she believes the contest has taken her career to another level.
” This is a life-changing experience for me and I am happy that my family and friends were on hand to witness it live, with this victory comes a greater challenge and I will remain focused on the journey ahead”
The outcome of the male contest may not truly reflect the intensity of the performance by both pugilists, as Nigeria’s Abdulwahab Abdulrahman secured a 5-0 unanimous victory against Mostafa Hafez of Egypt in their 63.5kg brawl.
Abdulwahab who is the Most Valuable Boxer (MVB) of the maiden season of the Yucateco boxing league, said Hafez is the strongest opponent he ever came up against.
“This is the most difficult fight in my nascent career, Mostafa is a very technical fighter but I was just too dogged for a victory hence my exquisite performance as well”
“I also wish to appreciate my chairman Mr Omonlei Imadu for supporting us to come thus far in a very short time, i know this victory will further expose me to more challenges but I want to assure Nigeria that I won’t let them down”
The initiator of the Pan-African Title contest Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, said the aim behind the initiative is to expose amateur boxers across boderslines.
“We started the Pan-African Championship in Togo in May 2024 with several boxers on the fight card, but this time we decided to centre the event on just two countries which is Egypt and Nigeria, and it turned out to be one that truly worth all the investment we made”
“The winners have a maximum of three months to defend their title, and as we speak, we have received a few offers already” This is the way to grow boxing in the continent, and Yucateco is committed to taking the lead in Nigeria”.
Some of the Top dictionaries and captains of industries at the event include the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, National Assembly Prof. Julius Ihonvbere.