For winning this year’s Governor’s Belt during the last Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, Taiwo Agbaje, a bantamweight and one of Nigeria’s representatives at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India, is N500, 000 richer. In addition to the cash prize and the belt, he also went home with material prizes courtesy of Starcomms, sponsors of the tournament.
Agbaje did not fail to impress during the 16th edition of the monthly boxing show. In a highly anticipated bout with Sikiru Ojo, he displayed deft footwork and was faster than his opponent. A cunning fighter, Agbaje, though shorter than his opponent, was able to sidestep the punches thrown at him. At the end of three rounds, the judges unanimously declared Agbaje winner to the jubilation of fans who thronged the arena to witness the bout.
Speaking after the fight, Agbaje said:
“I cannot express how happy I am. I want to thank the Lagos State Governor, Raji Fashola for the opportunity. If it were not with the help of the government, we will not be here fighting. I also want to encourage other boxers to continue in this endeavour because one day something good may come out of it”.
Ojo for his part congratulated Agbaje:
“He is a very good fighter and he was fast even though he is smaller than I am. I tried my best but as you know in any competition, there has to be winner and a loser”.
In other bouts decided that day Taiwo Oyegunwa of Faleke Boxing Academy was beaten by Awolusi Ayodele of the Navy. Ayodele was the more composed fighter who threw his punches steadily after Oyegunwa had lost his steam in the first round. Fijabi Olaide also had the upper hand against Christian Abua in another encounter that was keenly contested.
In the Women’s event, Teni Are of Kamlat Boxing Academy defeated Oluchi Ochoma. Ochoma had the upper hand when the bout started, but the tide turned when she began to show signs of tiredness.
“I am very happy that I was able to win at the end, she was a tough opponent but I thank God that I defeated her at last,” Are said about her victory.
In the other match, Mary Abbey defeated Mutiat Adebayo to emerge champion of the bout.
Catching them young
The high point of the day was the exhibition match between Sulaimon Hammed and Quadri Onikoyi. The seven year-olds impressed with their age and their footwork in the boxing ring. At the end of three rounds, Hammed was declared winner.
The state governor, Babatunde Fashola, said he was very impressed by the training of the young ones, saying it shows that the trainers were looking to the future.
He also commended the efforts of the organisers, Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame and its coordinator, Wale Edun.
The governor advised the boxers not to be in a hurry to rise to fame.
“I want to advise our young ones here today, don’t be in too much of a hurry. For there is usually a steady rise to victory, it does not happen suddenly. By the time your time comes, people would come here to look for you. You will be too conspicuous to be ignored,” he said.
“I want the boxers to know that it is not the killer punches that matter but the number of points they were able to accumulate over the three rounds, therefore I urge the coaches and boxers to have these in mind as they train”.
The day ended with the presentation of prizes to the winners and the Governor’s belt to the boxer of the year, Taiwo Agbaje.
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