The annual Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Governor's Belt is set to electrify the city on Boxing Day, promising a festival of pugilistic excellence. The event will take place on December 26 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, drawing a strong national contingent of fighters.
National Talent Converges for Intensive Training
This year's edition marks a significant expansion, with boxers expected from Ogun, Osun, Kwara, Oyo, Borno, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. According to LBHF Director, David Mohamed, this broader participation gives the tournament a more pronounced national character. For the first time, all participants have been camped together for intensive pre-event training to ensure peak condition.
"We are ensuring the boxers are in peak condition for the tournament," Mohamed stated. "Including boxers from other states allows them to showcase their talents, enabling national handlers to identify them. The Governor's Belt has been running for over 10 years, and this year we are making it bigger by expanding participation."
Full Fight Card: Lagos vs. The Nation
The event will feature five main bouts and seven exhibition matches, guaranteeing a full day of action for boxing enthusiasts. The headline matchups are as follows:
- Men's 50kg: Faruk Abijuwon (Lagos) vs. Malik Onifade (Osun).
- Men's 55kg: Qudus Lateef vs. Tijani Azeez (both Lagos).
- Men's 65kg: Opeyemi Odebode (Oyo) vs. Rasak Tairu (Ogun).
- Men's 67kg: Abdullahi Robiu vs. Femi Adeniji (both Lagos).
- Men's 70kg: Olamilekan Alabi (Lagos) vs. Mustapha Salam (Kwara).
The sole female exhibition bout will see Khadijat Balogun of Jagun Girls Secondary School face Yakubu Alia of Goal Sellers Foundation Secondary School in the 40kg category.
A Legacy of Developing Nigerian Boxing
The LBHF, a leading non-profit for amateur boxing development in Nigeria, was founded by former amateur champion and current Finance Minister, Wale Edun. Under Director David Mohamed's leadership, the organization has consistently nurtured young talent through regular monthly shows and the prestigious Governor's Belt Championship, creating a proven pathway for athletes to reach national and international prominence.
This Boxing Day event at Teslim Balogun Stadium stands as a testament to that enduring mission, offering a platform for Nigeria's next generation of boxing stars to shine.
