My family won’t feed on legacy, boxing is about business

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My family won’t feed on legacy, boxing is about business – Lawal

By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 21, 2025

Former three-belt (ABU, WABU and National) champion Rilwan Lawal talks about his boxing career, his motivations, goals and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO

How did you start boxing?

I started boxing more than a decade ago. I started from Bariga, Lagos where I was born and brought up. Where I grew up gave me the chance, and the zeal to learn how to fight. From there, I thought I could go further and become a professional and I also began feeding my family with it. Boxing brings food to the table because I was enlisted into the military through boxing.

What made you decide to stick with boxing after getting a military opportunity?

I was enjoying myself in the game. That’s why you see my name is ‘The Real Show Boy’. Anything you’re doing in life that you are not enjoying yourself, I think you need to change your location. I am enjoying myself and having fun with the sport. Yes, it’s a game of combat, and it’s either you win or you lose. You don’t play boxing, you fight enjoying yourself while doing boxing. So I think I took it further to the level where I represent the state, I represent Nigeria, and now I’m in the professional ranks.

When did you first represent Nigeria and what competition?

I represented Nigeria first in 2017 at the African Amateur Boxing Championships. Since then, I’ve competed in the African Military Championship. At the just concluded African Military Games in Abuja, I represented Nigeria and emerged victorious, which means I’m the champion of the whole of Africa. I’m hoping for sponsorship to the World Military Games in Sri Lanka very soon, where I’ll be representing the whole of Africa. I represented Nigeria in the Governor’s Belt Prize Fighting Championship 2016 and in that fight, I was the only fighter that won five awards in one night. I am the only military person that won the Governor’s Belt in my era.

If you had a chance to go and fight in Saudi for more money or to go to Europe for less money but the title is on the line, what would you pick?

For the answer to this question, as an African man, you know the right thing, so you know the good from the bad. And this game is not all about legacy alone. My family is not going to eat legacy. It’s strictly business. Trust me, I will go for the money. Yes, currently I am not for the money, I am for the success, but mind you, my management will navigate the right decision.

What would you consider your biggest achievement?

My biggest achievement was when I was a WBC world contender when I was among the world’s top 23. Every fighter’s dream is to become a world champion, and I look forward to winning a world title very soon. I know I’ll be there because everything in life starts with a step, and I’ve already made that step. With God, it is possible.

My saddest moment was my last fight (against Taiwo Agbaje) when I was knocked out in round seven. It was unfortunate because every fighter wants to fight and win until they get punched in the head. I never knew how I got the punch. Now I am letting every fighter know that I am ready, I am back. It’s a message to any opponent that comes in front of me now. You need to be prepared to kill me before you can win. Getting ready to fight is different from being willing to win. Now I am willing to win, not just coming there to fight, but to fight and win.

What would you say is the best country you’ve ever fought in?

I didn’t fight there but I’ve been to the United Arab Emirates for a training tour and I enjoyed staying there. My dream is to travel around the world. I’ve only been to different African countries. Currently, I would not say I have a favourite because everybody wants to go to Europe, America and all that but I enjoyed staying in Dubai. Dubai life is expensive, but it’s enjoyable.

When you started boxing, what did your parents and family think about it?

My parents did not discourage me from boxing. That’s why I’m happy, and I always give kudos to my parents, they always support and encourage me.

Are you training your children already in boxing?

What I would say about that is, based on the way I was raised, I would never choose a career for my children. They have to pick for themselves, so anyone that likes to do sport, I would encourage them. Currently, I have two children, but none are showing interest in boxing.

Have you ever thought of becoming a coach when you retire?

I have never dreamt of becoming a boxing coach because being a good fighter doesn’t mean you will become a good coach, and being a good coach does not mean you will provide a good fighter. I have been to a competition as a coach for 81 divisions in the military and I emerged the overall best coach, taking first place in boxing. But still, I don’t dream of becoming a coach.

What are your targets for your next fight on February 28?

For my next fight, I expect nothing but victory. I am going to knock that fellow out. I don’t want to know how hard he trains. He has to go down. It’s my comeback. It’s either he gets down or he quits.

Source Punch Ng

Posted February 21, 2025