Nigerian ‘Scorpion’ wins World Boxing Federation Super Featherweight title
By Olubunmi Osoteku, Ibadan
Nigeria’s Ridwan Oyekola, popularly called ‘Scorpion’, on Sunday, defeated his Argentine contender, Lucas Montesino, to claim the vacant World Boxing Federation, WBF, Super Featherweight title.
The historic feat, which was achieved at the Ilaji Sports Resort, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, saw the Ibadan-born Oyekola dealing ruthlessly with his opponent in the ten-round match.
After ten rounds of the action-packed bout, Oyekola was declared winner by the President of the WBF, Howard Goldberg, via a unanimous decision of 97 to 87 points.
Speaking before the event, the Oyo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Seun Fakorede, said the government would continue to encourage youth participation in sporting activities across the State, as a means of meaningful engagement.
Fakorede, who noted that the government is doing a lot to promote all sporting activities in order to develop talents and engage youths positively, said sports, especially boxing, was a way to bring youths out of street vices.
He said, “When you invest in the youths, you have invested in Nigerian future. Governor Seyi Makinde is a man of sports, we are doing a lot to make sure that we promote sports activities in Oyo State with the theme: One Youth, One Sport.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Dotun Sanusi, who doubled as the major sponsor of the competition, admonished youths in the State to see boxing as a profession so that they could find financial prospects and be employers of labour in the future.
President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBBofC, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, commending the feat, noted that the World Boxing Federation Tournament happened last in Oyo State 57 years ago, but it is a thing of joy that it happened again in the year 2020, during the tenure of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Ladipo said, “It is a plus for the present administration in the State, this is another way of encouraging youths that instead of using their power to cause chaos, they can use their hands to make millions through boxing.”
The Chairman, Oyo State Boxing Board of Control, Mr Gbenga Opaleye, urged Governor Seyi Makinde to continue to encourage youths in the area of sports, noting that boxing is also for the youths and not for the elderly alone.
Other Support Bouts
In other support bouts at the event, Taiwo Olanrewaju defeated Abdullah Adesokan within 47 seconds by technical knockout TKO, while Ridwan Lawal also recorded another TKO against Dare Oyewole in the 2nd round.
Ayobamiji Azeez, in the third bout, defeated Moses Samuel Apata Roro via unanimous decision, while Oladeji Abeeb, popularly known as Ige (Chest) beat Aliu Akintayo via a knockout in round 4.
In the only female bout, Blessing Godwin beat Adeola Olalere via a TKO, while Sadiku Akeem Dodo defeated George John Kuffour, a.k.a Amulu, from Ivory Coast with TKO in the fifth round, in a continental contest, as Olaide Fijabi retained his WABU belt after defeating Moses Dodzi from Ghana.
The dignitaries present at the event included Commissioners: Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun (Information, Culture and Tourism) and Mr Abiodun AbdulRaheem (Lands, Housing and Urban Development); the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Political Strategies, Mr Babatunde Oduyoye and a host of others.
Confidence Okwuchi
