Ottoh “Joe Boy” Joseph emerged the star of the fourth edition of the GOtv Boxing Nighton Sunday.
At the six-fight professional boxing event, which held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos, Joseph, who defeated Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai in an explosive National Lightweight challenge contest, was voted the boxer of the night by journalists.
He won the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the cash prize of N1 million.
Joseph is the second winner of the cash prize, the biggest pay-out in Nigerian boxing history.
Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi was the first winner when he was named the best boxer at the third edition in July.
Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi was the first winner when he was named the best boxer at the third edition in July.
Joseph, whose sedate mien belies his tigerish nature on the ring, set upon his opponent from the start.
Fatai, the National Lightweight champion, dealt his opponent furious combination of blows and was adjudged winner by unanimous decision.
In another fight, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, the West African Featherweight champion, knocked out Taofik “Taozon” Bisuga in the fourth round of their eight-round contest. Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, who took on Saheed “Happy Boy” Olayiwola, stopped his opponent in the fifth of their eight-round fight, while Isiaka “Easy Lion” Yusuf was devoured by Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo, who won by a third round knockout in a National Featherweight challenge.
In the headline bout, Nigeria’s Isaac Ekpo, a former Commonwealth Super Middleweight champion, accounted for Burkina Faso’s Jules Kabore, who was knocked out in the fifth round of the scheduled 10-round bout.
In the opening fight of the night, Jamiu “Naval Man” Olabode defeated Pelumi “Haggler” Sodubi via a second round knockout.
Ottoh ‘Joe Boy’ Joseph has set his sights on claiming the national lightweight title after emerging as the star of the latest edition of the GOtv Boxing Night on Sunday.
Joseph, who was only contesting in his third professional fight since turning pro in March, defeated Nurudeen ‘Prince’ Fatai in a thrilling eight-round contest decided at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos before being voted as the boxer of the night.
The boxer of the night honour goes along with N1m cash award as well as the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy.
A delighted Joseph told New Telegraph of his excitement at becoming only the second winner of the biggest payout in Nigerian boxing history and how he now looks forward to getting a shot at the national title currently held by the boxer he got the better of on Sunday.
“I am grateful to GOtv for making this happen and I am also grateful to my team for all they have done,” he said.
“But we cannot rest yet as we now have to set our sights on getting a title shot. Yes, my last fight was only my third as a pro but everyone who saw me believe I am ripe for a title shot and I hope to get that in December,” added Joseph.
The next edition of the GOtv Boxing Night has been tentatively fixed for Boxing Day, December 26.
Boxing fans in the country would look forward to that date with eagerness judging from the level of excitement from the thousands that thronged the Indoor Sports Hall venue of Sunday’s event which had on show six exciting bouts
Sponsored by pay-TV company, GOtv, the tournament is supported by other corporate bodies like MultiChocie, SuperSport, KSquare Security, Custodian Assurance Limited, Complete Sports, Brilla FM, Bond FM and Newsbreak.ng.
Sources: News Telegraph, The Eagles Online
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