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By Friday Olokor, Abuja
WBC Continental Federation light-heavyweight champion Godday Appah has called on the government and private sector to promote boxing in Nigeria, saying it’s the “next empire that would rule the world and take over from football.”
He stated that despite the economic potential and huge capital inflow from boxing, Nigerians do not promote boxing.
Bayelsa State-born Appah stated this in an interview with PUNCH Sports Extra in Abuja on Saturday, while being unveiled to the public by boxing promoter and Managing Director, King of the Ring Limited, Jude Onovwakpor.
“What we lack in boxing is individual instinct because Nigerians don’t want to promote boxers to become stars. If you promote a boxing star, definitely, you will make millions out of that star. The government and private sector should promote boxing. So, the secret is just to have a star. Just promote one boxer from nowhere to be a star, it will be amazing how the society will start making millions and it will encourage other people,” Appah said.
“So, the government needs to encourage the youths by giving us that mindset that we can be stars without going into crime. We can pass good messages and that will sell boxing more than football because boxing has more money than football in Nigeria. I believe boxing is the next empire that is going to take over the world.”
According to Onovwakpor, Flovest has offered to sponsor his fight against a Ghanaian opponent to the tune of N25m.
“Boxing promotion is not a cheap job to do. It takes a lot of contact and partnership. So, Flovest has the right to partner right now and it is going to bring the best out of our promotions and out of sports in Nigeria,” he said.
On the fight, Appah stated, “When it comes to boxing, I’m a mad man. I’m going to beat this man silly. The person I am going to fight is coming from Ghana but I care about winning, I don’t care about (knowing) him. I am a Nigerian based in Abuja. Even if he is demon, or an angel, I don’t care about him. I started boxing in 2018, I have fought 14 professional fights, I won the WBC Continental and the Nigerian National Championship title and I won the Abuja fittest man twice back-to-back.”