Michael Bolarinwa secured the Best Boxer prize at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Ikeja Divisional Championships on Saturday, registering a dominant 5-0 win over Taiwo Rokeeb in the men’s 50kg contest at Agege Stadium.
The victory brought Bolarinwa a ₦250,000 cash award and marked him out as one to watch as Lagos boxing’s newly launched IBILE Divisional Championship series begins. The five-stage qualifying pathway is designed to lead to the Governor’s Belt.
“I believe my performance was 100 percent today because of my skills,” Bolarinwa said. “It wasn’t easy from the trials all the way to the final, so I thank God for the win. I truly earned it.”
The boxer, who won silver at the 2023 National Youth Games and then took gold in 2024, said his goals reach well past the Lagos circuit.
“Very soon I hope to represent Nigeria because I’m already a national champion,” he added. “This year, I will represent Lagos State at the national intermediate games, and I’m hoping everything will keep getting better from here, leading to representing Nigeria.”
Even though two exhibition fights finished level, several other competitors stood out during the 12-bout programme, earning selection as Ikeja Division representatives for the Governor’s Belt finals.
LBHF founder and Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) president Wale Edun attended the event and explained that the championship traces back to a directive received from former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola more than 15 years ago.
“This represents the end point of all our efforts since 2009, when the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame Monthly Saturday Boxing Show started,” Edun said. “Back then, Governor Fashola asked us to revive boxing and give young athletes a chance to display their talent. We’ve stayed consistent with resilience, determination, and a strong focus on the care and safety of the boxers.”
Edun also said the divisional setup is meant to offer fighters a clear progression route.
“Divisional champions will keep facing each other right up to the Governor’s Belt, where the Ibile Champion of Lagos will be crowned in 2026,” he said. “They aren’t only fighting opponents; they’re also working to be recognised as champions.”
LBHF director David Mohamed described the start of the IBILE series as the fulfilment of a long-held plan.
“Our monthly boxing show has been running for more than 25 years, and we wanted to introduce more competition and a stronger structure,” Mohamed said. “By December, champions from every division will come together for the Governor’s Belt.”
The Ikeja tournament is the first of five divisional events in the IBILE programme, with the Governor’s Belt—promoted as Lagos State’s top amateur boxing prize—set to decide the overall champion before the year is out.
