Boxing
ALAAFIN IMPARTS BOXING TECHNIQUE TO NIGERIA’S ‘SCORPION’ AHEAD OF WBF TITLE FIGHT
Towards ensuring a victory for Nigeria in the World Boxing Federation’s (WBF) Super Featherweight title fight, the respected Yoruba monarch, Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has passed some useful boxing techniques to the Nigerian boxer, Ridwan Scorpion Oyekola.
Oyekola is facing an Argentine boxer, Lucas Matias Montesino on Sunday 27th December, at Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort in Ibadan for the vacant belt.
Alaafin while hosting the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by Sir Olawale Okonniyi for the epic bout to his palace and receiving the belt expressed joy that the history is rewriting itself again in Oyo State after 57 years.
The monarch before giving the Ibadan born boxer a royal blessing recalled his winning mentality during his youth’s days as a young boxer in Ebute Metta area Lagos and shared some boxing techniques that could enhance victory with the scorpion.
“Boxing is spiritual, only those who are engaged in the ring can understand that.
“Footwork was my strength in my boxing days and it had helped me against most of my opponents.
“You will need to keep your feet apart as you move to maintain good balance, and move round the ring using short sliding steps on the balls of your feet while you always ensure to move the foot closest to the direction in which you want to move first”, Alaafin explained to Scorpion.
He also offered prayers to the boxer and urged the LOC to ensure the image of the nation is portrayed in a very shining light considering how the fight will attract global attention while promising to be at the ringside during the fight to cheer Scorpion to victory.
The president of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, (NBB of C) Dr Rafiu Ladipo in his address assured the monarch of an hitch-free and high standard bout come 27th December taking into cognizance the lofty sporting facilities provided by the management of Ilaji Resort that is hosting the event.
Other members of the LOC that visited Alaafin’s palace for royal blessing are: Olusola Ayodele, the CEO of Core Afrique Boxing Promotion and the promoter of the fight, Gbenga Opaleye, the Chairman of Oyo NBB of C and his vice, Ms Edna Ayegbeni, Ademolu Okuneye, the head of Media.
Others included Princess Ayodele Mujidat Balogun, Elder Olugbemiga Ugbadgbor, Seyi George, Adetujoye Damilola and Olanrewaju Agiri.
U.S. immigration authorities have arrested Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in Los Angeles and plan to deport him, they said on Thursday, just days after he lost a high-profile bout to American rival Jake Paul.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Chavez was determined to be in the country illegally last week after he made fraudulent statements on a 2024 application for permanent residence. He is married to a U.S. citizen, it said.
Michael Goldstein, a lawyer for Chavez, said more than two dozen immigration agents arrested the boxer at his home in the Studio City area of Los Angeles on Wednesday.
“The current allegations are outrageous and appear to be designed as a headline to terrorize the community,” Goldstein said.
Homeland Security said that the 39-year-old boxer, son of Mexican world champion fighter Julio Cesar Chavez, is suspected of ties to Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organization.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. speaks at press conference in anticipation of his fight against Jake Paul at Avalon Hollywood Theater. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images/File Photo
His wife, Frida Munoz Chavez, was previously married to the son of former Sinaloa cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, who is serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison. The son, Edgar, was assassinated in 2008.
Chavez is the target of a Mexican arrest warrant on allegations of involvement in organized crime and firearms trafficking, DHS said.
In Mexico, Chavez’ family said in a statement they “fully trust in his innocence.”
Chavez lost to influencer-turned-boxer Paul, 28, last weekend before a sold-out crowd in Anaheim, California, in a unanimous decision after 10 rounds.
He was allowed to enter the United States temporarily in early January under former President Joe Biden, DHS said. He had previously overstayed a tourist visa, it said.
The agency said Chavez was convicted in Los Angeles in 2024 on weapons charges. Goldstein denied he was convicted, saying he pleaded not guilty and was granted mental health diversion which will result in dismissal of the charges.
Chavez won the WBC middleweight championship in 2011, but lost the title the next year.
His career has been overshadowed by controversies including a suspension after testing positive for a banned substance in 2009 and a fine and suspension after testing positive for marijuana in 2013.
His record stands at 54 wins, six losses and one draw, with 34 knockouts.
Reporting by Brendan O’Brien and Bhargav Acharya, Lizbeth Diaz, Angelica Medina, Diego Ore and Kylie Madry in Mexico City, Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Bill Berkrot
-Reuters
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Manny Pacquiao will come out of retirement to face Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight championship on July 19 in Las Vegas, the 46-year-old Filipino boxer said on Wednesday.
Pacquiao is the only boxer to win world championships in a record eight weight divisions while he was also the oldest welterweight world champion in history at the age of 40 in 2019.
A Filipino senator from 2016 to 2022, Pacquiao had retired from boxing in 2021 while he also ran for president in 2022.
“I’m back. On July 19, I return to the ring to face WBC Welterweight Champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Let’s make history,” Pacquiao wrote on Instagram.
The southpaw, who has 62 wins, eight losses and two draws in a 72-fight career, was also elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
Barrios, a Mexican-American boxer, has 29 wins in 32 bouts, winning 18 by knockout and losing twice.
-Reuters
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The body of Segun Olanrewaju, the Nigerian boxer who slumped and died in the ring in Ghana on Saturday is still in a mortuary in Ghana. The President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), Dr Rafiu Oladipo, informed Sports Village Square that an autopsy will be conducted on Wednesday.
He said that the NBB of C is closely monitoring the events in Ghana, even as the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade has asked for updates on the sad incident.
On Monday, a delegation of the NBB of C visited the family of the late boxer in Sango Otta in Ogun State. Oladipo said he was still in shock at the death of the boxer who he considered fit having fought last December 29.
He revealed that one of the members of the Nigerian delegation to Ghana stayed behind to follow up on the autopsy.
He narrated that the late boxer took part on Thursday in the mandatory weigh-in which is normally conducted 24 hours before a fight. Additionally, a medical check-up is also to be conducted.
“But in this instance, there was no medical check. On this ground, Oladipo blamed the Ghana Boxing Authority.
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