Nigeria stages Africa's 1st women pro-boxing

Nigeria have in many instances taken the center stage in being the continent's first in most events...social, economic, religion et al. And she does not seem bored by the enviable role of leading the pack in the great African continent.

Through her Boxing Board of Control, the NBB of C the Presidency through the Sports Ministry, has given its seal for the first ever professional women boxing bout to come on stage in the nation's capital city of Abuja.

Billed for December 14, 2005 in the ultra-modern Indoor Hall of the Abuja National Stadium, the bout which is an undercard in the African Boxing Showdown, Abuja 2005, has recieved besides, government seal, flourishing support from no fewer than 5 state Governors.

Ministers and both corporate and private concerns have also shown interest in the show;one of the many sponsors of the fight, which is being packaged by Mr Nigel Nwajiobi's SPORTS UNITED Promotions, is the Hilton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

In a chat with nigeriasports.com Nwanjiobi, whose football career was stalled by a back injury, disclosed that the event is to make Nigerians enjoy what sports do for people in Europe and elsewhere.

The night's show, which will feature 4 African title fights, 2 national fights and 2 undercards, one of which is the first

women pro fight in Africa, is according to Nwajiobi, "going to be a continuous show."The two female pugilists, who are expected to slug it out in the ring on that night, are; Iyabo Stephen and Dorothy Mansa.

"We intend to make this a quarterly stuff. After this, we are packaging another for February, 2006 before moving to the UK for another show in July and back home again in December, 2006.," Nwajiobi declared.

Meanwhile, members of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, who are the organizers of the African Boxing Showdown, and the Promoters, are putting their acts together to ensure a successful outing.

"We are expecting the President, African Boxing Union, ABU Houcine Houichi, who has indicated his intention to be present at the boxing showcase in Abuja," NBB of C President, Prince Adeboye informed nigeriasports.com.