With the national and sub-regional lightweight titles in his bag, it is hardly inordinate ambition for Oto “Joe Boy†Joseph to seek to add the Commonwealth Africa title. By common consent, his talent deserves expression on a bigger stage. The chance, at last, is here when the Akwa Ibom born ring craftsman takes on Israel Forget Kwwamwamba of Malawi in the first ever Commonwealth Africa title fight, one of the seven big fights slated for GOtv Boxing Night 12 holding today at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Initially billed to fight to Dillon Yule of South Africa, who pulled out through injury, Joe Boy has a date with history.
After a distinguished amateur career, where he strafed all comers, Joe Boy turned professional, making his debut at GOtv Boxing Night 1.
Those with memories of his first professional fight will easily testify that a star had been born. A master of controlled aggression and immense capacity to absorb punishment, the latter usually not deployed, Joe Boy racked up victory after victory.
His eight professional fights have delivered as many victories, including six knockouts. Perhaps, his most memorable fights have been the three against Nurudeen Fatai, whom he dethroned as national champion. His first-round dismissal of Hogan Jimoh Jr., featuring rapid-fire punching that got the crowd chanting and his opponent wobbling. He is a two-time winner of the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Prize for the best boxer, cashing a cheque of N1million on each occasion.
Against his Malawian opponent for the Commonwealth Africa lightweight title, Joe Boy may need to go up a few notches higher. Kwwamwamba, the opponent, has a similar fight profile. He has had nine fights, winning all but one. A cracker looms.
Organisers Promise Adequate SecurityÂ
Flykite Promotions, organisers of GOtv Boxing Night, have assured fans coming to the 12th edition of the event of adequate security in and around the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos, venue of the event.
Speaking in Lagos on Monday, Managing Director, Flykite Promotions, Mr. Jenkins Alumona, explained that fans have nothing to fear when they come for the event taking place on 1 October.
“Adequate security has been put in place to ensure fans enjoy the event. We take safety very seriously and over the last 11 editions, we have recorded no unsavory event. Fans, who are the soul of the sport, need to feel safe to enjoy themselves. One of our partners, KSquare Security, is a top-tier security firm with vast experience in the handling of big events like this. There is nothing to fear,†said Alumona.
A total of seven bouts are scheduled for the twelfth edition, with four of them being international bouts. The biggest bout on the night will see reigning African Boxing Union welterweight champion, Nigeria’s Stanley Eribo, defend his title against Ramadhani Shauri of Tanzania. Nigeria’s Oto Joseph will face Israel Kammwamba of Malawi for the Commonwealth Africa lightweight title fight. Another Tanzanian, Juma Fundi, will exchange punches with Nigeria’s Waidi Usman in an international featherweight challenge contest. In the light welterweight category, Olaide Fijabi of Nigeria will stake his West African Boxing Union title when he faces Ghana’s Bilal Ibrahim.
Other bouts lined-up include a national challenge bout between Rilwan Oladosu and Samuel Opaogun; boxing prodigy, Rilwan Babatunde will fight Tombraye Christmas in the light welterweight category while Kabiru Towolawi will duel with Akeem Adebayo in a national light heavyweight challenge.
The boxers are in line to earn a total of N20million in prize monies. The winner of the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Award for the best boxer will go home with N2.5million. The two runners-up will win N1million and N500,000 respectively.