Organisers of the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search have announced that participating boxers at the event, which holds between February 17 and 18, should not be older than 28. This, they explained, is because the event is conceived to find new professional boxing talents, who can take the sport to greater heights in Nigeria.
Mr. Remi Aboderin, General Secretary, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, under whose auspices the event is being organised, explained that the aim of the sponsors, GOtv, is to revive the sport by raising a new generation of boxers who will take over from the current crop.
“The sponsors are minded to deliver a conveyor belt that will regularly feed the sport with a stream of young and skilled boxers.
“Ideally, the age limit should be lower, but we have put it higher because of the long period of decline the sport experienced. The decline robbed many talents of the chance of hitting the big time in their prime.
“With the age limit of 28, we are certain of finding adequate boxers from whom the sport can still get a few more years before age catches up with them,” he explained. GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, which is being held in partnership with the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF), will hold over the two days at the LBHF Gym, Olatilewa Street, Off Lawanson Road, Surulere, Lagos.
It will feature sparring sessions by boxers, who will be assessed by accomplished boxing coaches.
Selected boxers will be privileged to attend a sport and medical seminar, enjoy free medical examination on February 19. They will also have their boxing licences paid for by the sponsors.
