BY JACOB AJOM

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control has threatened to strip the reigning national heavyweight champion, Adewale Abe of the title which he last defended on 17th November, 2006.

In a terse letter signed by the President, Dr Godwin Kanu and General Secretary, Aboderin Remi, the board of control noted, Please do be notified that your defense of this title is long overdue, and it is pertinent you defend this title against your challenger Onoriede Ehiwareme in July.

But facts emerging from the boxing board of control have it that the champion has been evasive and has refused to put up his belt for defense without a warm-up match.

The NBB of C has already agreed to the champion’s term and in the said letter, proposed that Abe should agree to a challenge. If according to your statement you do not want a title fight, the board has appealed to the promoter to make it a 10-round challenge against the same opponent so as to give you the warm up match you are clamouring for.

The board, however, made it clear to the pugilist that he would be stripped of the title if he fails to take any of the options. gYour failure to take any of the two options will leave the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control with no choice than to strip you of the title and allow other interested boxers compete for the title.