FIRO seeks youth dev with boxing championship

FIRO Boxing Promotion is seeking to develop Nigerian youths through its ‘Beyond The Ropes Championship’, with the organisers presenting boxing as a route to empowerment, employment and a career.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the promotion, Tijani Taofeek Adedamola, made the call at a press conference and face-off at New Garage, Gbagada, Lagos, ahead of the tournament on Saturday, October 24.

Boxers, members of the organising team and other stakeholders attended, to the delight of passersby.

Adedamola said staging the build-up in the community was part of his plan to take boxing to the grassroots and change the perception that it is a sport for touts and hoodlums.

“That’s why I’m starting from home. My first show started from Bariga, the second one is in Bariga, and now we are having our press conference in an open place in Bariga so that it can bring more people into boxing,” he said.

“We want to popularise boxing and make it very popular. We want our youths to take to boxing. Any of them who embraces the sport can realise that this is another way to become an employer of labour and a breadwinner.”

Adedamola said his organisation had taken boxing programmes to several states and was continuing the campaign across Lagos. He warned aspiring boxers not to rush into the professional ranks without learning the necessary skills, and said FIRO was building on the work of past administrators and promoters, including the late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, to improve Nigeria’s standing in world boxing.

The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Dr Rafiu Ladipo, commended the initiative and described sports as an effective tool for community development. He said boxing exposes young talents to scouts and promoters, and that the October 24 show will also feature musicians and other performers to showcase the wider talents of Bariga. Ladipo urged boxers to approach the sport with discipline and a willingness to learn.

A candidate for the Lagos State House of Assembly, Shomolu Constituency II, in the 2027 elections, Hon. Moruf Idowu Alli-Balogun, also pledged support and praised Adedamola’s passion for grassroots sport.

Among the bouts on the card, Oluwatosin Adeshina, known as Destiny Boy, will meet Taofeek Ganiyu, nicknamed Tear Boxer. Destiny Boy has a record of seven wins, one loss and one draw from nine fights and has promised an impressive display.

Aishat Oriyomi, known as AG Gold, will face Popoola Simisola, called Silent Killer. AG Gold has nine knockouts and two losses from 11 fights, and says she trains daily with jogging and punching-bag work.

Taiwo Olowu, known as Gentle Boy, will take on Idris Hamzat, nicknamed Zopower. Olowu has 21 wins, four losses and one draw from 26 fights and says he now trains morning and evening with his coach.

The tournament, sanctioned by the NBBofC, will hold at Gbagada Girls Secondary School Stadium, Ademolu Street, Bariga.