GOtv Boxing Night 9: Nigeria, Ghana Rekindle Age-old Rivalry

The age-old sporting rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will be relived at GOtv Boxing Night 9 holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, on October 2.

Included in the fight line-up for the event are two international challenge bouts. One is between Olaide Fijabi, national champion, and elite Ghanaian boxer, Raphael Kwabena King. The other international challenge bout will see national lightweight champion Oto Joseph square up to Ghana’s Richard Amenfu.

The fight line-up was announced by the event organisers, Flykite Promotions, at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday. Managing Director, Flykite Promotions, Jenkins Alumona, described the two Ghanaian boxers as crack opponents, saying they were carefully chosen to give their Nigerian opponents very tough fights.

“King and Amenfu are highly rated in their country which, as we know, is one of Africa’s boxing powerhouses. They have been picked to provide tough tests for our boxers and fans can expect blockbuster bouts. There is the additional edge of national pride and massive bragging rights,” explained Alumona.

He added that GOtv Boxing Night 9 will, for the first time, feature more than six bouts, which is in celebration of the country’s independence and the fifth anniversary of GOtv operations in October. The event will have the national cruiserweight title fight between Idowu Okusote and Ekeng Henshaw.

In another lightweight bout, Sikiru Shogbesan will duel with Prince Nwoye. The light middleweight division will provide a challenge bout between Semiu Olapade and Ebubechukwu Edeh, while Kabiru Towolawi will face Emmanuel Igwe in a light heavyweight challenge contest.

Another light heavyweight clash pits reigning champion, Jude Iloh against Adewale Masebinu.

The best boxer at the event, which will be broadcast live on SuperSport in 47 African countries, will go home with a cash prize of N1.5million and the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.

The cash prize, explained the sponsors, has been increased in celebration of the country’s independence and GOtv’s fifth anniversary.