Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight Champion, Bashiru Oloruntoyin Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali has vowed to realise his ambition of hosting the international title fight for the first time in Africa.
LEADERSHIP learnt that Ali, who aimed at breaking the world boxing record and enlisting his name in the World Guinness record has slated Uyo, Akwa Ibom State as the venue of the epic battle.
Consequently, the 69-year-old has appealed to the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno to support his long-delayed ambition.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to Elder Paul Bassey, the state commissioner for Sports, Ali, who has spent nearly two decades lobbying for official support, disclosed that the encounter would attract participants from 132 countries.
“A Guinness World record boxing championship fight has never been held on the soil of Africa before. Mine would be the first and the most lucrative. 132 countries are coming to Nigeria to be part of boxing history and over 46,000 people have agreed to buy ringside tickets at the rate of $500 to watch this historic fight in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, Uyo was chosen as the host city due to the standard facilities, like road network, hotels, security and its serene environment, especially the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which he said would host the proposed historic fight.
He commended Governor Eno for his passion for sports development, adding that the world record fight will further announce the state and the achievements of the government to the global community.
Responding, the Sports commissioner acknowledged the commendation on the governor’s achievements in sports in the last two years, and informed his guest that sport was a priority in the governor’s ARISE Agenda with the focus on grassroots development.
He congratulated Bash Ali, the first African to win the cruiserweight boxing title for attempting to set a world record at the age of 69 and particularly for choosing to do so in Akwa Ibom.
He described the world record fight as a sports tourism, not only for Akwa Ibom, but the country at large due to the number of international visitors such events attract, and assured that the state government was opened to such partnership and international sporting events.
