Tonight is for Warriors of Africa

Boxing followers have been waiting for this day with bated breath since the build up for the “Return of the Warriors of Africa” began two months ago. And with just a few hours to the first bout, all indications point to an evening to remember for all associated with the fistic trade.

A whopping nine bout thriller looms with five World Boxing Organisation, WBO Africa titles on the line. But the very big show of the night is the battle of the heavies. When two extra large men mount a roped square and begin to boom with the big bombs sure hell would be let loose. That should be the scenario when Adewale Abbey ring named the 'Tiger' takes on the invading Guislan Kaiabela from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This pairing is an encore because two years ago in the sweltering heat of Accra the two boxers also came to grip to contend for the WBO Africa Heavyweight title. On that night the two men boxed, docked, feinted, brawled and delved into the depths of their talent bank and at the end of the day the two did well enough to score a technical draw a situation of no victor, no vanquished.

The rematch today is for the same title which had remained vacant since that epic battle in Accra. Will one of them eventually emerge as the champion tonight? Or will they go through the rigours of twelve rounds and end up with a draw and miss the prestigious crown? Whatever happens tonight, boxing fans would emerge the ultimate winners with so much to cheer in this rematch that should be full of hate.

Other heavies who will rumble tonight are Charles Udalor and Chukwumah Okolichi. Each of these boxers is ambitious and their dream at least for tonight is to rule the Nigerian heavyweight scene which has been vacant since Olympian Richard Igbineghu was stripped of the title for inactivity.

Okolichi has youth on his side, the same advantage Udalor had on the night he dethroned Ngozika Ekwelum almost fifteen years ago. Now, the tide has changed. Udalor the young, energetic boxer of the other day is the old man facing the young Okolichi. But it will be out of place to give the fight to Okolichi because age sometimes could be an advantage for with it come experience.

It is not only the heavies that will provide the fun. There are other pairings and one that should provide fireworks if the encounter between the WBO Africa welterweight title holder Stephen Okine from Ghana who will risk his crown against home boy Ike Obi.

Other pairings for the night are Steven Nneji vs Lukman Jimoh (lightwelterweight contest) Tubor Briggs vs Joseph Adeniji (welterweight contest) Isaac Ekpo vs Razak Gbaebo (lightheavyweight contest) Justin Papayato Savi vs Sunday Okoli (vacant WBO Africa super featherweight title) Emeka Kodo Wogu vs Ange Adjaho (WBO Africa interim lightweight title) Jamiu Raji vs Gbossou Kodjo (vacant WBO Africa super welterweight title).

This promotion is a welcome relief to boxing fans who are becoming weary of the conflicts which has split the house of boxing into two. That conflict is an issue on its own being fought in the courtroom.

By Ikpo Igbinoba