Oshoba, Ibeabuchi, Esepo lead 2026 FGM award nominees News

Nigerian boxers Elizabeth Oshoba, Ike Ibeabuchi and Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje lead the list of nominees for the 2026 Fight Gist Media Boxing Awards, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the National Institute for Sports Conference Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

The ceremony will celebrate the achievements of boxers, coaches and promoters across 14 voting categories, continuing an initiative that has, since its inception last year, sought to spotlight Nigerian boxing talent on the global stage and document the growth of the sport locally.

Oshoba features prominently among nominees for the Female Social Media Influencer award, alongside Ojo Joy, Oluwole Bolatito and Chiamaka Nwaturuocha.

Ibeabuchi, meanwhile, is in contention for Comeback of The Year alongside Afolabi Shittu, Kabiru Towolawi, Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab and Kazeem Soyoye, with his fight against Kabiru “KB Godson” Towolawi also nominated in the Fight of The Year category.

Agbaje, who emerged the biggest winner at last year’s inaugural ceremony after claiming both Male Fighter of The Year and Fans’ Favourite, returns among the nominees in three categories this year: Fans’ Favourite, Best Ring Walk and Male Fighter of The Year.

In the Male Fighter of The Year category, Agbaje is joined by Sikiru Shogbesan, Tope Musa, Yusuf Ogunbunmi, Raheem Animasahun, Sodiq Adeleke, Tosin Osaigbovo, Ahmed Lawal and Adeniji Yusuf. The Female Fighter of The Year category features Toyin Adejumola, Oshoba, Adeola Oyesiji, Blessing Chukwuede and Oluwole Bolatito.

The Fans’ Favourite category also includes Adeniji Yusuf, Raheem “Baddo” Animashaun, Ahmed Lawal, Ezekiel “Touch” Seun, Adeshina “Destiny Boy” Oluwatosin, Akintayo Wasiu Adedayo “Oloba Shitta” and Godday “Zodsolo” Appah, while Animashaun, Oluwatosin, Durotimi Agboola, Toheeb Hassan, Emmanuel Abimbola and Yusuf Ogunbunmi contest the Most Improved Boxer award.

In the Prospect of The Year category, Basit “Joker Boy” Adebayo, Oluwatosin, Sadam Oladipupo, Faruk Ajobi, Kolawole Adetoye and Fatiu Ijomoni are all in contention, while Sodiq Adeleke, Hassan Tiamiyu, Toheeb Hassan and Lekan Muibi will battle it out for Knockout of The Year.

The Fight of The Year category also features Sadam Oladipupo’s bout against Imole Oloyede, Sodiq Adeleke’s clash with Durotimi Agboola, and Hameed Lawal’s fight against Sodiq Oyakojo.

Adeyemi Opeyemi, Kazeem Soyoye, Chubuike Elisa and Godday Appah are nominated for Male Social Media Influencer, while Basit Adebayo, Agbaje, Appah and Ezra Arenyeka contest Best Ring Walk.

The Trainer of The Year category features Monsuru Akande, Tajudeen Adekunle Kazeem, Sunday Olalekan, Idris Ajanaku, Abimbola Kola, Olusegun Ajose, Ojo Babatunde, Azeez Kolawole Owonikoko and Rasheed Bello.

In the amateur categories, Orakwe Blessing, Adeshina Zainab, Idowu Mistura and Mayowa Ayomide are nominated for Outstanding Amateur Boxer (Female), while Jamiu Olamilekan, Abijuwon Faruk, Ibrahim Yakubu and Raheem Ridwan contest the male equivalent.

Olanrewaju Agiri and Olanrewaju Elundayo will both receive Special Awards in recognition of their contributions to the promotion of Nigerian boxing.