Punch King Boxing Promotions Limited, a new professional boxing initiative aimed at taking grassroots African talent onto the world stage, has officially been launched.
The unveiling ceremony was held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, with a wide range of figures in attendance, including professional boxing stakeholders, potential sponsors and investors, sports administrators, and elected media practitioners.
Guest speaker Oluwaremilekun Aboderin, who also serves as secretary general of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), praised the programme for its ambition to reshape professional boxing across the continent. He highlighted the plan to build what he described as the largest digital network of elite professional boxing teams in Africa.
At present, the platform already features more than 25 registered professional boxing squads from across Africa. The system is designed to give those teams wider international visibility, while also opening doors for sponsorship, investment, and broader recognition beyond their home countries.
Through the Punch King digital platform, member teams are able to upload their profiles and training content. In turn, sponsors can review options and back the teams they choose, linking funding opportunities directly to performance development and visibility.
The eight teams that attract the most sponsorship support will earn places in the inaugural Punch King African Tournament, scheduled for October 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria.
Introducing the idea behind the venture, Founder and CEO of Punch King Boxing Promotions Limited, Sherrif Olawoyin, said the initiative is built to ensure that every talented African boxer gets the chance to reach the global stage.
Olawoyin said: “It is with profound gratitude and great excitement that I welcome you all to this historic occasion — the official unveiling of Punch King Boxing Promotions Limited.
“Today is much more than the launch of a company. Today marks the beginning of a new vision for African boxing.
“Growing up in the home of a boxing coach, I saw boxing extend beyond the ring. I witnessed discipline. I saw sacrifice. I saw broken dreams.
“I met talented young athletes whose biggest obstacles were not inside the ropes, but poverty, lack of opportunity, poor visibility, and limited support. Many champions never reached the world because the world never saw them. That reality stayed with me.
“While my father dedicated his life to producing champions inside the ring, I devoted my professional career to building businesses and creating lasting growth. Today, those two worlds have merged into one mission — and that mission is Punch King.
“Punch King is not just another boxing promotion company. Punch King is a digital ecosystem created to bring every stakeholder in African boxing together.
“It is a space where coaches, boxers, promoters, referees, medical teams, sponsors, and fans can connect, collaborate, and grow as one. Our aim is straightforward yet ambitious: to become the pathway through which every talented African boxer reaches the global stage.
“Whether a boxer is from Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Kampala, Dakar, Lusaka, or Kigali, every athlete deserves the opportunity to be discovered.”
Co-founder and Chief Moses James Opute also outlined the purpose of the initiative, saying: “I’m proud to be part of this great vision. Punch King was established to give back to sports and to put the spotlight on talent.”
Speaking as President of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) and also the Chief Launcher for the event, Dr. Rafiu Oladipo said, “Nigeria Boxing Federation is happy with Punch King, and we want all Nigerians to support this initiative. This is a programme that should interest everyone.”
Oladipo added: “The journey of 100 years takes a step. With this giant step, you’ve started something great. I’m happy that Remi Aboderin is also part of the programme. I’m equally impressed that some of our boxing officials are also taking part in this initiative.
“This programme is for boxers. Boxing is big business. One bout can change your life and make you rich. The first professional fight in Nigeria took place in 1949.
“Over the years, we’ve continued supporting fighters and promoters such as Bash Ali, Samuel Peters, Anthony Joshua, Lanre Ekundayo, and others. These individuals have delivered medals for Nigeria. Those achievements are records that cannot be erased.”
He further assured the Punch King project of the NBBofC’s backing, stating that Nigerian fighters have the potential to become world champions, noting that boxing champions around the world are well-compensated and succeed across multiple weight categories.
