Jamiu Adeniji produced a commanding display at the weekend to win the Best Boxer award at the Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) Ibile Divisional Championships in Ikorodu.
Quick facts
- Venue: Ikorodu Town Hall
- Format: One-day event featuring 10 amateur bouts
- Representation: Eight local councils, with two fights ending level
- Organisers: LBHF and the Lagos Amateur Boxing Association
- LBHF was established in July 2009 by former Finance Minister Wale Edun and is Nigeria’s longest-running monthly grassroots boxing programme
The tournament was staged jointly with the Lagos Amateur Boxing Association (LABA), bringing together fighters from Ikorodu Local Council, Ikorodu North, Ikorodu West, Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ijede, Ketu Agboyi, Ikosi Isheri and Imota.
Adeniji, representing Agboyi Ketu LCDA, beat Wahab Adiat of Ikorodu West in the men’s 50kg final. He dictated the contest with crisp jabs and forceful uppercuts, earning a unanimous 5–0 verdict before collecting the Boxer of the Tournament trophy.
“Winning the best boxer award makes me very happy,” Adeniji said after the bout. “I know there is still more to achieve, and I want to push for a place in the national team so I can represent Nigeria abroad.”
The women’s programme featured two closely contested finals. Ikorodu North’s Aishat Yisa defeated fellow council boxer Abisola Agbolade 4–1 in the 50kg division, while Oyindamola Kuseju of Ikorodu LGA claimed the same scoreline against Basirat Kelani of Ijede LCDA in the 54kg category.
Kolade Ojo, also from Ikorodu North, opened the men’s undercard with a decisive 5–0 win over Akinola Akingbade of Agboyi Ketu in the 55kg class.
The bouts at 60kg and 65kg were settled by split decisions. Shazilly Hamzat of Ikorodu West edged Waris Sanusi of Ikosi Isheri 3–2, while Ikorodu North’s Kingsley Gabriel overcame Ikosi Isheri’s Folagbade Ademola by the same margin.
LBHF director David Mohammed applauded the strong support across Lagos’ five divisions and said anticipation was building for the season-ending event.
“The Ibile competition is attracting spectators throughout Lagos,” Mohammed said. “The grand finale later this year should be even tougher. The standard has been encouraging, and we expect more of these boxers to challenge for places in the national team.”
