By Dorcas Francis Koji
Olamilekan Alabi delivered an outstanding performance to win the men’s 70kg title and claim the prestigious Best Boxer Award at the Lagos Hall of Fame (LBHF) Ibile Divisional Boxing Championships held at the Ojo Local Council Secretariat in Badagry.
Alabi capped an impressive campaign with a hard-fought victory over Gafar Adeleke of Ajeromi LCDA in a thrilling final that showcased his determination and technical brilliance inside the ring.
Although he made a slow start, the young boxer quickly found his rhythm, landing a series of well-timed jabs and powerful uppercuts that gradually shifted the momentum in his favour.
His dominant finish convinced the judges, who awarded him a 4-1 split decision, before naming him the tournament’s Best Boxer in recognition of his exceptional displays throughout the competition.
Speaking after receiving the award, Alabi credited his success to dedication and hard work while expressing his ambition to remain one of the country’s leading fighters.
“This is the reward for weeks of hard work. I want to keep ruling the ring for a long time,” Alabi said.
The championship featured 10 competitive bouts, with several young boxers delivering impressive performances across different weight categories.
In the men’s 50kg division, Daniel Daramola of Ojo recorded a commanding 5-0 unanimous victory over Farouk Abijuwon of Ifelodun LCDA to secure the title.
Yusuf Kareem of Iba LCDA also produced a dominant display, defeating Ganiyu Raheem of Apapa Iganmu LCDA by another 5-0 unanimous decision in the men’s 55kg category.
One of the day’s closest contests came in another weight division, where Faezol Fasasi of Iba LCDA edged Qudus Akinwande of Olorunda LCDA by a narrow 3-2 split decision after an entertaining battle.
The event also featured two exhibition contests involving student boxers, with both bouts ending in draws, highlighting the abundance of emerging talent within Lagos State’s grassroots boxing programme.
Chairperson of Ojo Local Council Development Area, Princess Muhibat Titilola Rufai-Adeyemi, commended the organisers for creating opportunities for young athletes and reaffirmed the council’s commitment to youth empowerment through sports.
Lagos Hall of Fame Director David Mohamed described the Ibile Divisional Boxing Championships as an important platform for discovering and nurturing future champions.
According to him, the competition is designed not only to identify promising boxers but also to prepare them for state, national and international competitions.
“We are discovering new talents and shaping them to represent Lagos at major competitions,” Mohamed said.
The Ibile Divisional Boxing Championships will continue in Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe before culminating in the highly anticipated Governor’s Belt Championship scheduled for December 2026.
With another successful edition concluded, the tournament continues to strengthen its reputation as one of Lagos State’s premier grassroots boxing competitions, providing a pathway for talented young fighters to pursue careers at the highest level.
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