By Ayo Ojedokun Lagos
Renowned boxing promoter Alhaji Wasiu Waheed Alade said that his promotion outfit, De- Lads Boxing Promotion will continue to help both amateur and professional fighters achieve their full potentials in the pugilist game.
Alhaji Alade who on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos held the Season 4 of his professional boxing promotion/ Season 5 of his outfit’s amateur fights, said that his decision to be organising both amateur and professional boxing simultaneously, is to encourage boxers at all levels, noting that the decision has made him the promoter to beat in the country.
” At De-Lads Boxing Promotion, we give equal opportunities to both amateur and professional fighters and it has really helped in the development of the game.
“Prior to our coming on board, we discovered that many boxers don’t fight at the amateur level before joining the paid ranks which does not help their game.
“There is no denying the fact that as an amateur, you must have learnt the rudiments of the game and be prepared physically, mentally and psychologically before becoming a professional and that’s why we promote the two together”, he explained.
He further stated that though, he has put in so much into the project, he’s happy the decision has helped boost amateur boxers in the country as two female boxers discovered by his outfit were among the pugilists that went for the just concluded Olympic qualifiers in Senegal, just as he said he’s looking forward to corporate organisations to compliment his efforts.
“Right now, we’ve not really made any profit but am happy that two of my female boxers were part of the Olympic qualifiers in Senegal and I hope corporate organisations will appreciate what we’re doing and give us their support to grow the game and enable boxers smile to the banks with bigger purse”, he stressed.
Collaborating him, the company’s Chief Business Development Manager, Afolabi Adegboyega said they’re not only out to produce champions for the country in boxing in the nearest future but to ensure that fighters are adequately enumerated.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control ( NBB of C), Remi Aboderin has appreciated what Alhaji Alade has done in boxing since joining the promotion club.
According to him, his passion for the sports is unparalleled and with promoters like him, professional boxing will continue to grow in Nigeria.
” Alhaji Alade is too passionate about the game and we at the (NBB of C) are happy to sanction his fights because we need people who are passionate about the game like him to be involved in the business of boxing promotion”, he concluded.
