Lagos –  No fewer than 20 amateur boxers participated in the 54th edition of the monthly Lagos Saturday Boxing Show at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre (Rowe Park), Yaba,  which was witnessed by large spectators.

The championship, organised by the Boxing Hall of Fame (LSBHF), is a talent hunt programme at the grassroots.

Isaac Ekpo (L) Super Middle Weight Boxing Champion with his Coach, Seidu Kalifa, in training at the National Stadium In Lagos recently.

It is sponsored by Mr Olawale Edun, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Finance and currently, the Chairman, LSBHF.

Edun said at the event that the competition was a good platform for young boxers to showcase their talents and also help them to develop their skills.

“It is also to prepare them for future challenges in boxing.

“Talents discovered will be trained and encouraged to take to professional boxing.’’

The chairman announced the postponement of the 55th edition scheduled for last Saturday in July because of Ramadan.

Edun said:“I am happy for our young stars and I demand for more support from the communities, various organisations including the youth department of our local governments.

“I thank Gov. Babatunde Fashola for his support, consistency and sustainability of this championship since its inception.

“We are using this edition to greet all our Muslim brothers, Ramadan Kareem.’’

Mrs Patricia Gbadegesin, the Principal, Army Cantonment Secondary School, Ikeja, advised the boxers to be focused and also face their educational pursuit.

“Education will help them to make progress faster.

“Athletes with boxing skills should combine the sport with education because it will help them to go places,” she said.

One of the athletes, Elizabeth Oshoba, said that tactics deployed, her height and the training she received gave her victory over her opponent, and promised to improve on them.

“I defeated my opponent because I was taller than her and I was calculating the way she throws her punches at me; in fact, the training I received gave me the opportunity to win.”

NAN reports that Samuel Ebohen from Champion Boxing Club defeated Victor Stun from Glorious Boxing Club in the 91 kg category, while Femi Akintayo from Star Boxing Club overpowered Kudus Aliu from Tenbernson Boxing Club in the 75kg category.

Elegbede Samuel from Smarth Boxing Club gave Demola Olaleye from Wesco Boxing Club in the 69kg a showdown, while Kazeem Saka from Kamlat Boxing Club overwhelmed Hammed Rufai from Morgan Boxing Club in the 64kg category.

Elizabeth Oshoba from Smarth Boxing Club defeated Musa Adesewa from Progressive Boxing Club in the female categories in the 51kg event among other categories. (NAN)