Ali,Booth in N50m showdown

The twice postponed World Boxing Federation[WBF] Cruiserweight title bout between Nigeria's Bash Ali and Britain's Tony Booth has now been confirmed for July 17, with both fighters poised to have a slice of a N50 million prize package,nigeriasports.com exclusively reveals.

         Defending Champion Bash Ali had failed to stake his belt on April 25 and  May 29 due to reasons ranging from disagreement in modalities with the challenger's camp and clash of bout with the annual Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria.

         Speaking in an interview with nigeriasports.com Tuesday, Ali disclosed that the fight will now be held on July 17 at the National Stadium in Lagos,adding that arrangements are being made to make the fight a memorable one.

        Said the self-styled oldest boxing champion:"We have already communicated new date for the fight to the camp of Tony Booth in London and they have acknowledged it.Also the promoters have embarked on a serious marketing drive,we are having about five sponsors for the fight.

        "My recent visit to the palace of Oba of Lagos was part of our strategy at sentisising the public about the fight,more of such will follow.You realise it's not easy to stage a fight of this magnitude in a place like Nigeria where sports patronage is very minimal,but we are not relenting in our efforts."

         Ali will be pocketing a whopping sum of 150,000 pounds sterling[N37.5 million] as defending champion while Booth will be compensated with 50,000 pounds sterling[N12.5 million] as challenger.

         Booth,it was gathered would arrive Nigeria on July 12 for the bout which,according ot Ali,has some boxing and wrestling bouts as undercards.        

 

 

 

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