Abuja to host maiden all-female boxing tournament May 1

The ring is set for the first edition of an all-female boxing event, which will take place on May 1, 2023, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, previously known as the Sheraton Hotel.

Speaking to the media in Abuja, Titan Sports Entertainment director, John Uzor said the event, ‘Boxing Meets Comedy which is part of an initiative to promote and highlight the abilities of female boxers in Nigeria will take place on Workers’ Day.

“We have been looking forward to an opportunity to showcase the talents of these young female boxers, I’ve seen them box at the National Sports Festival, it was so beautiful, and when I got the opportunity to do something, I decided to start with boxing.”

“So I felt my own way of contributing to letting the government know that females are a part of the sports industry is to do something and also create awareness for people to know that sports is also entertainment, which is why we put up this event that will bring comedy to meet boxing,” he said.

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Assistant Boxing Coach at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Olapade Oladoson emphasised that enough preparedness for protection has been put in place, saying, “We can’t allow anybody going into the ring without being checked.” We do not want casualties. We do not want to have casualties, thus we must make proper precautions.

“The medical team will examine them as they weigh in. We will examine them, including taking their blood pressure. Every aspect of health would be examined,” he said.

Helen Joseph, a long-time female boxer, stated that her goal is to succeed and demonstrate her prowess as a boxer.

Six female professional boxers will participate in three weight classes: featherweight, light welterweight, and lightweight.

Each fight will go three rounds, with a one-minute break in between. The climax weight is the lightweight event with the highest weight.

All female fighters will undergo mandatory pre-fight health exams and will be required to wear headgear throughout the fight with the winner of the night will receive N200,000.