The inaugural WBC Amateur-Africa Boxing Union (WBC-ABU) tournament, concluded in Lagos over the weekend, saw Nigerian boxers win 10 out of 11 bouts decided on the final day of the keenly contested championship.
A total of 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 in Surulere.
Organized by Yucateco Boxing Promotions, the first-ever WBC-ABU Amateur Tournament served as a qualifier to select boxers who will represent Africa at the WBC Amateur World Cup, set to take place in Mexico later this year.
With the country’s impressive performance, the question was which Nigerian boxers would take home the WBC belts. It was Precious Anine who defeated her compatriot Anuoluwapo Akanni in the women’s 60kg final, while David Akintola outclassed Joshua Daniel in the men’s 75kg final. Both were awarded the prestigious belts as the tournament’s most valuable boxers.
Uganda’s Brenda Maduwa, Battle Nihu, and Shakur Mugambe failed to prevail in the finals but did win the silver medals. However, the trio expressed excitement at the opportunity to compete in an international tournament.
Maduwa lost to Pauline Assogba of Benin Republic in the women’s 51kg final, Nihu suffered defeat against Nigeria’s Olamilekan Akanbi in the men’s 69kg final, and Mugambe was beaten by Ridwan Salawu of Nigeria in the men’s 60kg final.
The success of the maiden tournament has encouraged Yucateco Boxing Promotions to organize another sanctioned competition before the WBC Amateur World Cup, providing more boxers with a platform to represent the continent in Mexico.
The President of the African Boxing Union, Houcine Houichi, emphasized the need for more competitions like this to give amateur boxers exposure to international events.
“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 development of amateur boxing in Africa,” he said. Houichi is also a prominent member within the WBC.
While commending Imadu for his passion and commitment to the growth of the sport, Houichi, who is also the Vice President of the WBC, expressed hope that the event would inspire further investment in amateur boxing across the continent.
“I am confident that other boxing organizations in Africa have been encouraged by what Yucateco has done. My friend Imadu has set the pace, and now it’s time for others to show their willingness for further collaborations.”
The three-day tournament began with the WBC-ABU Referees and Judges course, aimed at upgrading and updating the knowledge of ring officials, who were awarded certificates during the closing ceremony of the championship.
Credit: WBC
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