Nigeria’s Abbey eyes Commonwealth title vs. Hopewell News

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Nigeria’s Abbey eyes Commonwealth title vs. Hopewell

By Daily Sports Nigeria on October 17, 2024

Nigeria’s WBF International champion, Abbey Mary Yetunde Aina, is set to challenge Britain’s Nicola Hopewell for the Commonwealth flyweight title on Saturday, October 19, at Skate Central, Sheffield, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.

The Nigerian pugilist, popularly known as “Iron Lady,” who also serves as a corporal in the Nigeria Police Force, expressed her determination to clinch victory in an exclusive interview with our correspondent on Wednesday.

“I desire to win this fight for the glory of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force,” Abbey said.

“My manager has been backing me, and I want to bring this belt back home. I have trained, and we are still training, and we hope to get a good result on Saturday.”

Abbey, boasting an impressive record of 12 wins (10 by knockout) and just one loss, will be facing the current Commonwealth flyweight champion, Hopewell, who holds a record of five wins (one by knockout) and one loss.The 27-year-old Nigerian is looking to bounce back from her first career defeat, a controversial majority decision loss to French boxer Jeyssa Marcel in Nantes, France.

Abbey had expressed dissatisfaction with that result, claiming to have been undone by undue home advantage.

“I was not happy with the result because they used home advantage for her, despite the fact that the girl (Marcel) is bigger than me,” Abbey had told PUNCH Sports Extra after that bout.

However, the setback has not deterred Abbey from her world championship aspirations. “I know I feel cheated, but all the same, life goes on. I will never relent until I become a world champion,” she had affirmed.

Abbey’s power-punching prowess is evident in her record, with 10 of her 12 victories coming by way of knockout. She will need to be at her best against Hopewell, who will be making the first defence of her title.

This bout represents a significant opportunity for Abbey to not only claim a major title but also to put Nigerian boxing on the global map. A victory would be a historic achievement for both Abbey and the Nigeria Police Force, potentially opening doors for more international opportunities for Nigerian boxers.

As the fight approaches, boxing enthusiasts across Nigeria and beyond will be keenly watching to see if the “Iron Lady” can add the title to her WBF International Super-Flyweight championship.

Source Punch Ng

Posted October 17, 2024