Lagos Boxing Show: Ojo Joy wins Best Boxer Award
Ojo Joy of Owonikoko Boxing club on Saturday emerged winner of this month’s best boxer of the day award based on her impressive performance at the 103rd edition of the Monthly Saturday Boxing Show at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Hall, Rowe Park, Yaba.
Joy was voted the best boxer by the Referees and Judges of Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association, out of the 18 pugilists that fought in nine bouts fought.
The premier amateur boxing competition organized by the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame in partnership with the Lagos State Amateur Boxing Association, saw Ojo,fighting in the blue corner for Owonikoko Boxing Club, beat Oganjimo Shukurat of Hard Punch Boxing Club by a 5-0 unanimous in the 48kg class.
Joy beat Hana Derete Tadesse from Ethiopia to win the 48kg gold medal at the African Youth Games in Algeria last year and brawny 20 year-old has set her sights on representing and winning medals for Nigeria in the future.
Other bouts saw Metallic Boxing Club’s Emmanuel Anayo defeated Joshua Daniel of Mayor Boxing Club in the 60kg weight class by a 4-1 majority decision in the first bout of the day.
The 64kg contest saw Ajadi Fatai of Star Boxing Club in blue corner knockout Badagry Pioneer Boxing Club’s Amosu Williams in the first round while Gabriel Oguntade from Hard Punch Boxing Club beat WTT Boxing Club’s Buhari Jamiu in a 69kg duel.
Goodluck Fatai of De-Young Boxing Club beat Bakare Azeem of Owonikoko Boxing Club in a 5-0 unanimous decision, then the second female bout of the day saw Yekini Azeezat of Smart Boxing Club beat Popoola Simisola of Brightest Boxing Club in a 54kg fight.
Sylvester John of Boxing Temple Boxing Club lost to Agosu Mensah of Possible Boxing Club in the 75kg category then Balogun Fatai of Young Star Boxing Club won the 91+kg, beating Glorious Boxing Club’s Olaitan Ganiyu by a majority decision.
The Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Obalende LCDA, Engr. Ogundimu Akande, speaking The Nation after the tournament, said the Lagos Saturday Boxing Show serves a good platform to the showcase strength and growing popularity of amateur boxing in the state.
“I am always happy with the show because gives our boxers the opportunity to showcase their skills”
“If programmes like this can be replicated by other states boxing associations, Nigeria would be the forerunner when it comes to boxing in Africa.” Akande said.
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“If you check the profiles of boxers that recently won the national trials to represent Nigeria at the in Africa Games next month, you will find out that most of them are products of the monthly boxing show.”