A total of 23 young boxers were adjudged as fit to join the professional ranks by selectors at GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 3, which ended in Ibadan on Saturday. At the closing ceremony held at July 21 Hall, Ring Road, Ibadan, the young boxers were unveiled, with Ramon Razak, who came from Abuja, named the most valuable boxer.
All the boxers selected will have their professional licences paid for by Mr. Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN), Chairman, MultiChoice Nigeria, and Chairman, GOtv Boxing. Ogunsanya will also pay for comprehensive medical tests for each of the selected boxers.
In addition, the GOtv Boxing Chairman directed that the Oyo State Boxing Association be given a cash support of N100, 000, with the coaches’ association in the state getting a cash support of N50, 000. Each of the best three boxers at the event, which began on Thursday, was given a GOtv decoder. The event was attended by over 200 boxers from across the country.
In attendance at the closing ceremony were Dr. Rafiu Ladipo and Mr. Remi Aboderin, President and General Secretary respectively of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control; Mr. Lateef Opaleye, Chairman, Oyo State Boxing Association; Mr. Toye Arulogun; Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy; and other boxing authority figures in the state.
The judges’ panel at the programme included coaches Joe Mensah, Obisia Nwakpa and Jerry Okorodudu.