Ambassador Ojo Patrick Idowu (JP) has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering support toward Bash Ali Guinness World Record boxing event, which is set to take place in July in Abuja, Nigeria.
Bash Ali, a champion of the World Boxing Federation (WBF), aspires to become the oldest boxer to win a world championship at the age of 69. The event, aptly titled “Boxing to Shock the World,” has been in the works for decades. President Tinubu’s administration has infused new hope into this project, aligning it with his Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at fostering sports development within Nigeria.
Chief Patrick also commended Senator Ningi Abdul, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, for his commitment to the Bash Ali project.
He described their contributions as groundbreaking in the history of Nigerian sports, highlighting a pivotal shift towards prioritising impactful initiatives, such as hosting this Guinness World Record boxing event.
Patrick expressed his excitement about hosting this prestigious boxing bout in Nigeria, emphasising its various benefits. “An iroko must not fall,” he stated, underscoring the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s sporting icons and leveraging such events to elevate the nation’s global standing.
He further called upon all stakeholders to unite behind Bash Ali, Nigeria’s undefeated World Cruiserweight Champion, in his quest to stage a Guinness World Record boxing championship on home soil.
He disclosed that Bash Ali turned down lucrative offers from the United States and other countries, insisting the event must be held in Nigeria. He believes that the fight could generate over $1 billion in revenue for the country while illustrating Nigeria’s sporting excellence.
For over 19 years, Bash Ali has battled against bureaucratic red tape, corruption, and inadequate governmental support in pursuit of hosting this historic boxing championship in Nigeria. Despite being a celebrated World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion, government inefficiencies and resistance to his anti-corruption stance have impeded the event’s realization.
The Guinness World Record boxing championship featuring Bashiru Ali (Bash Ali) is poised to be the first of its kind held in Africa, outside of the United States. Bash Ali has remained adamant about hosting the event in Nigeria, despite facing significant bureaucratic hurdles.
The championship is projected to be a groundbreaking financial success, with an estimated 30–35 million Pay-Per-View (PPV) sales at $100 per view, potentially generating at least $3 billion in PPV revenue.
Beyond ticket sales, the event will bring additional revenue from sponsorships, advertisements, and merchandise sales. Furthermore, the project aims to establish:
According to Ojo Patrick, Bashiru Lawrence Ali is known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style. He also holds the distinction of being the first African to win the cruiserweight title.
Despite his achievements, Bash Ali continues to face challenges in hosting the Guinness World Record fight in Nigeria. At 68 years old, he remains determined to cement his legacy as the oldest boxer to win an independent world title.
Bash Ali, who hails from Edo State, south-south Nigeria, a former wrestler turned boxer, is described as the “boxer in the world to win a world boxing title without first boxing as an amateur. He is the only boxer in the world to win every cruiserweight title conceivable – California, United States Boxing Association (USBA), North America Boxing Federation (NABF), World Boxing Council International (twice) and the current World Boxing Federation champion.
According to Ojo, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, is Known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style, he holds the distinction of being the first African to win the cruiserweight title. Despite his achievements, Ali has faced significant challenges in his quest to host a Guinness World Record fight in Nigeria, aiming to become the oldest boxer to win an independent world title at 68 years old.
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