From left – Gotv representatives Jenifer Okoh, Chidoze Bede-Nwokye with Flykite MD Jenkins Alumona and Rafiu Ladipo, President Nigeria Boxing Board of Control`

The organisers of the GOtv Boxing Night on Wednesday said that they were delighted about the development of the sport and were committed to sponsoring many championship bouts in the future.

Tagged the Independence edition, the boxing show will be premiered in 45 countries across Africa where the best boxer of the night goes home with N1.5 million.

According to Chidozie Bede-Nwokoye, the Marketing Manager, GOtv, nine fights are scheduled to hold in the 16th edition of the event which comes up on Oct. 14 at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

Bede-Nwokoye told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the company was happy to stage another edition of the event and that the objective was to contribute to the development of sports.

“We are very delighted to be back to stage another GOtv Boxing Night show which promises to be entertaining and fun for boxing fans.

“Gotv has come a long way in supporting boxing and will continue to support the sport for many more years to come.

“While we can boast of boxers emerging African champions, we have our targets for world championship title which we believe will soon be staged in Nigeria.

“As we continue to sell quality content for entertainment, we need everybody to support the initiative for the growth of the sport and development of our boxers,’’ Bede-Nwokoye said.

He added that having staged several successful events in Lagos and Ibadan, soon fans of the sport in other parts of the country would enjoy it.

In the same vein, Jenkins Alumona, the Managing Director, Flykite, said that the boxing night promises to be the best of the best.

He said that 18 boxers were scheduled to slug it out on the night and among them were young fighters making their professional boxing début.

The boxers are products Gotv Next Gen Search organised to discover young boxers willing to go professional in boxing career.

He added that there would be two international fights and other bouts featuring veterans of the GOtv boxing night to add value to the show.

“We are happy to be back and with the 16th edition which promises to be a night of serious boxing entertainment for our numerous boxing fans in Nigeria and beyond.

“We are also very proud to have our esteemed sponsors, GOtv who have continued to support the development of boxing ever since the show took off in 2014.

“We will have young boxers who will be using the platform to launch their career and also the older boxers still very much around to give their fans a spectacular night.

“There will also be two international title bouts that promises to be exciting and as usual very entertaining,’’ Alumona said.

Rafiu Ladipo, the President Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C), told NAN that ever since GOtv began the sponsorship of the fights, boxing had continued to be visible and developing in the country.

He said that already, the country could boast of eight recognised boxers on the GOtv boxing platform who had been recognised by the Commonwealth and soon would be getting ready for bigger bouts.

“We at the NBB of C remain grateful to GOtv for putting funds into the development of the sport in Nigeria.

“The Gotv boxing night has given many unknown boxers the opportunity to launch themselves, especially by providing the right exposure. For this, we are grateful,’’ Ladipo said.

Scheduled to fight on the night are, Kabiru “KB Godson’’ Towolawi versus Adewale “Masevex’’ Masebinu fighting in a 12 rounds national light heavyweight category.

Also to fight in a 10 round West Africa Boxing Union Lightweight title bout is Rilwon “Real One’’ Oladosu and Ghana’s Benjamin Lamptey.

Chibuzor “T boy’’ Obi will also go against Waidi “Skoro’’ Usman in a national feather weight fight.

In another international light weight bout, Oto “Joeboy’’ Joseph will fight Anama Dotse of Ghana.

In fights involving newly discovered professionals, Azeez “who says so’’ will engage Waheed “Showmax’’ Showgbamu in a national light welterweight clash, just as Isaac “1 Star’’ Chukwudi takes on Adekanla ‘’Spirit’’ Adekanla.

Meanwhile, Aminu ‘’Lucky boy’’ Akintayo will slug it out with Mutiu “Machine’’ Fatai in a national super flyweight challenge, as Tayo “Esepo’’ Agbaje fights Tope “TP Rock’’ Musa in a national light weight bout.

Also, new kids on the block Opeyemi “Sense’’ Adeyemi will engage Sherif “Oshe” Ogunbanjo in a super bantamweight fight.