A boxing promotion outfit, Monarch Events and Promotions, yesterday, disclosed that its target is to promote Nigerian talents to win world titles and also position the country on the global boxing map.
Speaking in Lagos during the media unveiling of Nigeria’s first woman to win an African Boxing Union (ABU) title, Adijat Gbadamosi, who recently won the ABU Super Bantamweight crown, Chief Executive Officer, Monarch Events and Promotions, Prince Stanley Williams, said Nigeria has talented boxers, who needed to be promoted to international level, disclosing that the ABU women champion and ABU light heavyweight champion, Victor Benneth, among other international professional boxers, will feature in the forthcoming World Boxing Festival (Boxfest) in the United States (US).
According to Williams, featuring in the festival will position the boxers to fight with international professionals and prepare them for world boxing championship titles.
Williams said his company is passionate about bridging the talent gap between Africa and the rest of the world, adding: “Our aim is to make sure we take boxing to a higher height and also provide the boxing fans all over the world with exclusive shows and elite events.
“Our company is based in the United States and it is right for us to push Nigeria and other African talents towards global recognition.”
On how soon the current ABU women champion would be involved in international fights, Williams said Monarch Promotions, as a member of the WBC, has concluded plans to make things happen for Gbadamosi.
Although Williams acknowledged that there is still work to be done to get her prepared for international fights, he said the company is taking her to the United States to work with experienced coaches and professional boxers.
He called on African governments and other corporate organisations to promote boxing in the continent, noting that the sport can generate huge revenue for the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) of the countries, as well as boost their tourism sector.
“The corporate bodies need to start taking boxing events seriously. The government also needs to be part of it because boxing is still at a very low place in Nigeria and Africa.
“I strongly recommend that the governments of Africa need to embrace boxing promotions, just like Saudi Arabia that has used boxing to attract tourism to the nation and a few other countries.
“A big international boxing event puts the country on the global map. It gives the country a global recognition. If there is big event that draws the attention of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, they will want to have their fights in Nigeria and when such happens, the whole world will be talking about Nigeria.
“It boosts the tourism sector as many people will come into Nigeria to watch boxing because it is international. Other countries will come here to watch historical events,” he said.
Speaking on her career, thus far, the new ABU Super Bantamweight champion, Gbadamosi expressed delight on her recent victory and opportunity to compete for the title despite not being in the agenda of her promoters.
“I feel great becoming the first Nigerian woman boxer to win the title. It was not an easy work. I have been training for it and thanks to God for the success. Seeing my opponent in Ghana, I felt confident and knew I trained hard for it and so I didn’t want to lose the opportunity my manager gave me to fight for the ABU title, despite not planning for it,” she said.
Gbadamosi said she would double her training to defend the title, acknowledging that retaining the title would be tough, but achievable. She expressed hope to be on the global map as the first Nigerian woman to win international titles from the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and International Boxing Federation (IBF), among others.
