5th February, 2014
The sole promoter of Bash Ali’s Guinness Book of World Records (GWR) fight holding in Nigeria this year, Otunba Benson Bamidele Akingboye says there is no going back on the long awaited fight.
Akingboye assured teeming Nigerian boxing fans in Lagos that the long awaited World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight title defence by the Nigerian boxer will hold as promised and called on more corporate bodies and individuals to identify with the project.
“The Guinness Book of World Records fight involving our own dear son, Bash Ali is going to be the first of its kind in Nigeria and there is no going back on the project as far as we are concerned. The LOC for the fight was successfully inaugurated in Abuja on 7 January, and since then, we have been working hard by putting in a lot of resources in place to make it a huge success.
“At this point, we want more corporate bodies and individuals to come forward and be part of history by supporting this fight which is a Nigerian project.
“On the side of my promotional outfit, Obaking International Promotions, we are set to stage the biggest boxing fight in world history. We are expecting a lot of boxing legends in the country during the event, so it is going to be a massive fight night.
“Let me reiterate that the image of the country is at stake with this project and we are careful not to disappoint Nigerians as the Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi advised during the LOC’s inauguration. Thus, we need the cooperation of all Nigerians to deliver in this regard,” Akingboye said.
Akingboye who also doubles as the Vice President of the International Boxing Union (IBU) in Africa added that the gains of the GWR fight to the country are enormous.
“The gains of this fight are enormous to Nigeria because we are going to use the proceeds to build more sporting facilities in the country and we strongly believe Bash Ali will deliver at the end of the day.
“A lot of money is involved in the project and it is our belief that Nigerians will be behind Bash in prayers to actualise this dream. Currently, Bash is one of the best boxers to come out of the country and we have to make efforts to support him in becoming the oldest boxer to win a world title.
“It is an honour and a great accomplishment for Africa if Bash Ali succeeds because the glory will not only go to Nigeria but the rest of Africa. I want to appeal to other Africans to help publicise this event and I encourage them to come to Nigeria to witness history made in their own very eyes.
“We strongly believe in Nigeria, we believe in Bash Ali and we believe in the vision of the present Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of His Excellency, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who is determined to develop and leave a positive imprint in every sector of the Nigerian economy, including the sports sector which has often been neglected by others in the past,” Akingboye concluded.