By Gbenga Jolaosho
Abuja
Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, is to flag off the signing of the world biggest boxing glove as a precursor for creating public awareness for the World Boxing Foundation world middle weight title fight slated for Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital, on November 28.
Promoter of the WBF fight, Emmanuel Emenogu, told Blueprint Sport that the world biggest boxing glove concept was initiated not only to promote the boxing event but to also create a platform for promotion of peace and unity among all Nigerians.
“Aside from the Sports Minister signing the glove, we intend to take it round the six geopolitical zones of the country where major stakeholders in boxing, philanthropists, and sports loving individuals will append their names and signatures.
“All names and signatures that appear on the glove will signify support for the boxing event and also help to accomplish President Goodluck Jonathan vision of youth empowerment through sporting activities,” he explained.
Emenogu, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Emmaco Sports Ltd, disclosed that the Akwa Ibom state government is partnering his organisation in floating the boxing event which will attract major Nigerian boxers based abroad.
According to him: ‘The main boxing event will feature King Davison Emenogu, WBO international light middle weight champion, Isaac Ekpo, the newly crowned Commonwealth super middle weight champion, Gift Cole, the WBF junior welterweight champion, and Jude Ilo, the current West Africa light heavyweight champion.”
The Emmaco Sports Ltd boss, who added that the former ABU champion and WBC light welter contender, Olusegun Ajose, would also be in the country, said the boxing event was being bankrolled to revive professional boxing in the country and promised not to relent until the game returns to its glorious era in Nigeria.
“Professional boxing is today totally dead in Nigeria because there is nobody to sponsor or pay the boxers well, but we now want to revive it with this event in Uyo.
“We have many of our professional boxers there in overseas where they are paying them up to 40 or 50 dollars, but we are now bringing them back home to fight and we are going to pay them well,’ he said.
