About 100 boxers turned up for the GOtv Boxing NextGen Search 2, which opened at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Gym on Wednesday.
The initiative, conceived to raise a new generation of young and talented professional boxers, featured a press conference and sparring sessions by selected boxers.
In attendance were officials of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, both partners, and the sponsors represented by Efe Obiomah and Johnson Ivoseh, GOtv Public Relations Manager and Marketing Manager respectively.
Also present were boxing coaches Obisia Nwakpa, Joe Mensah and Jerry Okorodudu, who supervised the sparring sessions.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of Flykite Promotions, Jenkins Alumona, said the partnership between GOtv and boxing is aimed at raising the standards of the sport locally.
Alumona said: “At the first edition, we had plenty of boxers from around the country, an indication that boxing has regained its footing. We are happy at the turnout on the opening day, which offers a further proof of the sport’s revival. Within a few years, Nigeria should be able to produce elite-class boxers. That is the aim of this enterprise.”
The General Secretary of the NBB of C, Remi Aboderin, praised the sponsors for reviving professional boxing in the country.
Aboderin said: “We all know that without GOtv, we would not have professional boxing as we currently do in Nigeria. Their support has been immense and we at the NBB of C are grateful for that.”
Obiomah explained that GOtv will continue to support Nigerian boxing and make it stronger.
The sparring session continues on Thursday.
Selected boxers, whose professional licences will be paid for by the sponsors, will be announced on Friday.
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