Nigeria’s rising boxing star, Raheem Animashaun, famously known as Baddo, was crowned the new West African Boxing Union (WABU) Light Welterweight champion on Sunday night.
In a exhilarating contest held at the Gymnasium Hall of the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos, Baddo delivered a sixth-round technical knockout against Ghana’s Richman Ashellley, who opted not to continue into the seventh round. The fight, promoted by De-Lads Boxing Promotion, drew hundreds of enthusiastic boxing fans.
Following his victory, Baddo reflected on his performance, acknowledging that while he didn’t meet his pre-fight promise of a fifth-round knockout, his strategy of weakening Ashellley over the rounds paid off.
“My initial plan was to finish him before the fifth round, but he managed to avoid my knockout punches,” Baddo said. “So, I shifted my focus to breaking him down by targeting his ribs and other body parts, which worked well as he didn’t come out for the seventh round.”
Baddo hailed the victory as a stepping stone in his career, promising more success ahead. He also expressed gratitude to Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi, President of De-Lads Boxing Promotion, for his investment in boxing and for offering hope to talented young fighters.
“This title is just the beginning. I believe I have the skills to follow in the footsteps of legends like Rocky Marciano, Azumah Nelson, Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, and Anthony Joshua, and to one day become the undisputed world champion,” he added.
Alhaji Waheed Wasiu Alabi, the promoter of the fight, was pleased with the success of the event, the 9th edition of De-Lads Boxing Promotion. He promised that the 10th edition would be even more spectacular, adding that his organization is dedicated to developing both amateur and professional boxing in Nigeria, paving the way for more Nigerian fighters to compete on continental and global stages.
The night also featured other exciting bouts. Akeem Olayiwola won a unanimous points decision over Williams Amosu in a National Light Welterweight Challenge. Segun Tunde Adeyemi secured a seventh-round technical knockout victory against Semiu Olapade in another National Light Welterweight contest. In a National Super Bantamweight bout, Ezekiel Seun claimed a 2-1 split decision over Agboola Durotimi.
In the National Super Featherweight fight, Akanji Moruf defeated Ojo Arabambi by unanimous decision. Meanwhile, the National Light Welterweight fight between Emmanuel Abimbola and Isaac Chukwudi ended in a draw, as did the contest between Adeshina Oluwatosin and Sulaimon Hammed. Taiwo Olowu delivered the fastest victory of the night, knocking out Yakubu Faruq in the first round of their National Light Welterweight contest.
A highlight of the night was the presentation of a N500,000 cheque to Mistura Idowu, who won the Bet9ja Foundation trophy for the best amateur boxer, alongside other fantastic gifts from the official broadcaster, Startimes.
All the fights were sanctioned by the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and sponsored by Bet9ja Foundation and Startimes.