By Gbenga Jolaosho
Abuja
Foremost boxing promoter in Nigeria, Mr. Ademola Omotoso, has promised to return the professional boxing to its glorious era in Nigeria once he emerges the president of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) after its election slated for October 28.
The NBB of C vice president, who was in Abuja on Wednesday for the promotion of a world boxing title fight tagged ‘Return of the Champions” coming up in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on November 28, attributed the death of professional boxing in the country to poor management but gave assurance that he would turn the situation around once he assume the leadership of the boxing governing board.
“I used to be very sad seeing what has today become of the professional boxing in Nigeria.
“In the past Nigeria used to be known for boxing and through it the country was put on the world map for the first time in terms of sports.
“I started promoting boxing since 1959 and world well known boxers like Hugan Basey, Dick Tiger and so on were some of those I have promoted their fights in the past.
“It is very sad that today what people only know and crazy about is football, and the reason for this is because those who have been running the game lack the experience, the nitty-gritty and the wherewithal to effectively make it attractive to the people,” he said.
Omotoso, who haS also staged many fights abroad, disclosed that he has the magic wand to turn the misfortune that has befallen the game around and make it to rival football in Nigeria.
“All I need do to get the game back to glory is to bring forth my many years of experience in the management and promotion of the game and by so doing it will not be difficult to attract sponsors.
“Of course many corporate oragnisations are out there to support the game once they know that the right person is in charge. And I assure you that once I’m there we will begin to see our professional boxers too being called for endorsement as the footballers.
Boxing can be greater than football in Nigeria and I will want to urge the government in particular to stop committing huge money into football alone at the detriment of other sports. This is because football can only fetch one medal for the country at sports fiesta like Olympics while a sport like boxing can give so many,” said the publisher of the defunct All Sports Newspaper.