By Daily Sports Nigeria on April 22, 2026
History was made at the weekend as the Nigeria Boxing Federation sanctioned its first professional boxing event in Lagos.
The six-fight card, staged by Core Afrique Boxing Promotions at Argon Sports Centre in Sijibomi, Elepe, Ikorodu, drew stakeholders from across the sport in a colourful atmosphere.
Action got underway with a super bantamweight (55.3kg) bout between Emanuel Friday and Hammed Qudus, with Friday winning by unanimous decision after six rounds.
In the national lightweight (61.2kg) contest, Qudus Adebayo defeated Lucky James via unanimous decision. Quadri Ilori also secured victory over Ayomide Kasali in their 63.5kg national super lightweight bout.
In the national welterweight (66.7kg) category, Taiwo Tomiwa recorded a first-round knockout, stopping Ayobami Okpeyemi in 36 seconds, while Peter Ejieke defeated Olanrewaju Saheed with a knockout at 2:51 in their 76.2kg national super middleweight clash.
The national middleweight (72.1kg) bout between Adeniji Bolajoko and Kazeem Lawal was closely contested, with Lawal emerging winner by split decision.
Fight records from the event were updated on BoxRec a few hours after the competition.
Speaking after the event, promoter and CEO of Core Afrique Boxing Promotions, Olusola Ayodele, expressed satisfaction with the organisation and professionalism displayed.
“Firstly, I must appreciate the Nigeria Boxing Federation for its ongoing reforms in the sport. I make bold to say that the era of fake professional fight records is over. It is truly a new dawn for professional boxing in Nigeria, and I call on all stakeholders to embrace this positive trajectory,” Ayodele said.
As part of its ongoing reforms, the NBF has established a professional boxing arm to regulate and oversee pro boxing activities in the country.
Source Punch Ng
Posted April 22, 2026
You may also like...
PSG put nine past Guingamp for record-breaking win...
Song happy with CHAN preparations
Akpoguma May Feature Against Algeria
Moses Simon completes Levante switch
Ighalo Bounces Back To Super Eagles As Rhor...
Sports Minister declares 2023 SWAN Convention Open
Gala intensify Osimhen’s special recovery plan
Core Afrique stages first NBF-sanctioned pro event
Professional, amateur golfers tee off at landmark Edo event
Ndidi resumes training after injury layoff
NPFL halts season for Federation Cup
National school volleyball championships begin in Lagos
AFN opens World Relays camp in Lagos
NOC Mourns Galadima, Describes Late Administrator As ‘Principled Visionary’
Musa dents Rivers title hopes as Rangers go top
Nwabali linked with Kaizer Chiefs, Simba SC
New winners emerge at Osun national table tennis tourney
Ex-int’l Disu optimistic ahead SAMDA U-13 tourney
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,718 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,045 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,966 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,562 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,492 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,394 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,244 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,791 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,981 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,489 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,899 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,366 views)