Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje won the WBA Africa lightweight title on Sunday after defeating Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo by unanimous decision over 10 rounds at the sold-out Brai Ayanote Boxing Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
But the victory came with a costly twist as Agbaje lost his N2 million pre-fight wager after failing to knock out Osaigbovo in the seventh round as he had publicly promised.
Before the fight, Agbaje had confidently predicted a seventh-round knockout and staked N2 million from his own purse on it.
He said: “Everyone already knows I never lose.
“It’s a shame that you are going to get knocked out in round seven.
“Out of my purse, I want to bet N2 million that Sojar Boy will be knocked out.”
Osaigbovo responded by insisting he would hand Agbaje his first professional defeat.
He said: “If you are not careful, you will be the one to get knocked out.
“I am giving you your first loss.”
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The bout, however, went the full 10 rounds.
Agbaje dominated across the contest, matching Osaigbovo punch for punch, and the judges ruled unanimously in his favour at the final bell.
The victory crowned him the new WBA Africa lightweight champion and improved his professional record to 19-0.
The knockout never came, and with it went the N2 million bet.
Inside the stadium, the atmosphere reflected the profile of both fighters, with seats filled to capacity and fans standing in the aisles throughout the contest.
Osaigbovo also entertained the crowd by repeatedly sticking out his tongue to taunt Agbaje during exchanges, drawing loud reactions from spectators, but it did not save his unbeaten record.
The defeat ended Osaigbovo’s unbeaten run of 12 fights.
Both fighters had entered the contest without a loss, with Agbaje holding an 18-0 record with 13 knockouts and Osaigbovo standing at 12-0.
The bout was promoted by De Lad’s Boxing Promotion and sanctioned by the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control.
NBBofC Secretary-General Remi Aboderin described the contest as a strong statement for Nigerian professional boxing.
He said: “This was a fine advertisement for professional boxing in Nigeria.
“Two unbeaten fighters, a full house and a clean contest — that is what the NBBofC works to deliver, and we delivered.”
The WBA Africa title is a regional championship sanctioned by the World Boxing Association and serves as a pathway for African fighters seeking higher rankings and world title opportunities.
