BASH ALI WORLD GUINESS BOOK FIGHT WILL HOLD IN 2014

By Elvis Iruh
Bash Ali & the new promoter, Otunba Akingboye
Bash Ali & the new promoter, Otunba Akingboye

After all, the much publicized Guinness Book of World records fight Bashiru Ali has been dreaming of holding on Nigerian soil may eventual happen around April/May 2014 in Abuja Nigeria according to the new promoter for the world fight, Otunba Bamidele Benson Akingboye.

He made this declaration during a stopover flight in Amsterdam on his way back from Canada where had gone to see the President of International Boxing Union (IBU), Don "Moose" Lewis to discuss the details of the proposed world fight in Nigeria in 2014.

Otunba Akingboye who is a staunch businessman with interest in Maritime services is entering into the business of boxing promotion with this first major event. Asked if he was not risking his money on a boxer who is old, he has this to say, “I have seen Bash Ali train and he has something that many of these younger boxers do not have, he is fit and ready to make history and for over seven years he had been frustrated so I am here to help him fulfil his dream of becoming the oldest boxer in the world to win a boxing title”.

The first time that happened was nearly 40 years ago in Zaire, Africa and how nice to repeat the history on an African soil so by God's grace we would make it happen in Abuja, Nigeria for the whole world to see. It would be a world class event with all ex-world boxing champions coming to Nigeria for the event.

In fact the show will be a carnival of sort for the world to see how beautiful Nigeria and hospitable Nigerians are. Otunba Bamidele Benson Akingboye, has assured teeming Nigerian boxing fans that the long awaited World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight title defence by the Nigerian boxer will hold against all odds. “We are close to signing the deal and the Minister of Sports setting up the committee to over the planning and execution of the Bash Ali World Guinness title fight in Abuja, Nigeria

Akingboye said he is traveling around the world right now to make every Nigerian and Africans to develop interest in the world title fight. It is an honour and a great accomplishment for Africa if Bash Ali succeeds so the glory will not only go to Nigeria but the rest of Africa. He therefore called on other Africans to help publicize the event and encourage them to come to Nigeria to witness history made in their own very eyes.

“Every Nigerian should be interested in seeing the fight come to fruition because it will put the nation in limelight as a home of great boxers and the continent at large”.

“Since 2006 till date, efforts have been made by the various governments to make this fight come to fruition and we are glad to announce to the boxing world that come 2014 the fight will hold in Africa's most populous black nation, Nigeria. “Therefore, every Nigerian should pray so that we can achieve success at the end of the day with the project at hand.
“The LOC of the fight was set up in 2006 by President Obasanjo and the members are ready to play their role effectively, including the International Boxing Union (IBU) and other veteran boxers from other parts of the world who will be in Nigeria to watch the fight.

“For the purpose of records, I wish to state that this project is private sector-driven, and all what we are asking from the Federal Government is to give us an enabling environment to see this fight happen in Nigeria because it is the first of its kind in the country,” he said.
“A lot of money is involved in the project and it is our belief that Nigerians will be behind Bash Ali in prayers to actualize this dream. Bash is one of the best boxers to come out of the country and we have to make efforts such that the fight holds in the country than going elsewhere,” Akingboye concluded.