I Want To Fight For Nigeria –Falaja

Ben Falaja is a young Nigerian boxer, who is based in England. The 22-year old pugilist has a dream of fighting for his homeland, though he had never stepped on the shores of his country since birth.

Last week, fortune smiled on the young boxer, who hails from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, when he came into the country alongside other young and promising British boxers of the Repton Boxing Boys Club of London to participate at the recently concluded 2nd International Amateur Boxing Show.

The boxing tourney, packaged by the Lagos Boxing Hall of Hame, headed by Mr. Wale Edun, is an annual boxing contest between boxers of Lagos Amateur Boxing Association and the Repton Boys Club of London. The show, which started last year, has indeed contributed to the development of the sport in both sides.

One clear example of the dividend of the Hall of Fame involvement in boxing in Lagos was the success recorded by the state’s boxers at the recently held Garden City Games 2011 National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, Rivers State where Team Lagos won nine medals, seven of which were gold medals from boxing.

Falaja, like many other pugilists, who participated in this year’s edition, gave a good account of themselves judging by their spectacular performances at the tourney which began on Thursday, 22 September at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotel & Suites on Victoria Island and was rounded off on Saturday at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba, Lagos.

Despite losing his first bout to Taiwo Oyegunwa of Lagos he was able to give a good account of himself by outpunching Rasheed Lawal when they fought in the 69kg category.

In a chat with P.M.Sports after his keenly contested bout with Lawal, the 22-year old boxer, said his dream is to wear Nigeria’s colours at the 2012 London Olympics.

“My dream is to get into the national team of Nigeria. I want to fight for Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympics. Although I have fought for England I also want to feature for my fatherland. I hope the officials in charge will consider my performance and invite me for the pre-olympic trials,” said Falaja.

On his boxing career in England, Falaja said he has participated in many tourneys and has won many bouts in the course of his career.

“I have fought many fights in England and I have beaten many good boxers there. You will see these in my profile. I am a very good boxer and I know the sky is the limit for me if I don’t lose focus,” said Falaja.

However, his father, Abayomi Falaja, who was by the ring side to cheer his son to victory told P.M. Sports that he prevented the boy from going into boxing when he was in England.

“He should have started boxing at the age of eleven but I prevented him from going into the sport. It was when I left England five years ago that he went into boxing. I am ready to support and encourage him now that he has gone back to it because I can see that he is focused and the future is bright for him,” said the senior Falaja.

The father said that he is convinced that his son will be invited to join Nigeria’s Olympic team considering his exploits since he ventured into the sport.

“They will know that the boy is very good if they see his profile. He has beaten great boxers in England including the ones that have gone to the Commonwealth Games. I believe the boy will make the Olympic team if he is invited,” said Falaja.

—Bimbo Ajayi