Appah receives WBO title as Adamu plans to boost boxing

Godday Appah has received his WBO Africa cruiserweight title belt after beating Ezra Arenyeka in a split decision on May 1. The belt was presented in Lagos on Thursday.

The fight was called a Peace Fight between the Itsekiri and Ijaw communities in the Niger Delta. Appah praised Balmoral Group during the presentation, calling it a new era for boxing in Nigeria.

"I am so happy to be holding this title. You can see the level of care Balmoral promotion shows the boxers. Now we work and fight and get our millions here because DAZN is in our house. We get paid and get more famous and can also motivate other youngsters to follow us into this boxing career," Appah told The PUNCH.

At the ceremony, Balmoral Group Promotions CEO Ezekiel Adamu shared the group’s plans for Nigerian boxing. He said their main goal is to put local fighters on the world stage.

"Coming into the game, the first thing we have to do is to elevate the level of production at events in arenas to look as if they are fighting in Vegas," Adamu said.

He explained that their strategy starts with signing both established and upcoming talents. This includes Basit ‘Jokerboy’ Adebayo, the current Nigeria Youth champion, WBO Africa Champion, and WBO International Youth Champion. They also signed WBA Africa champion Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje, who is already well known.

"The next phase for us now is talent development. We can’t do everything at once. We now have the global visibility here, and we got this by working with entertainers and hosting celebrity boxing fights. We got two billion views and 4.2 billion impressions overall," he said.

Adamu mentioned that their biggest dream is to host a world championship fight in Nigeria.

"The biggest dream is to host a world championship fight here in Nigeria and also let our Nigerian boxers be kings here and dictate how much they charge for fights," he said.

WBA Africa champion Agbaje, who joined Balmoral after some time in London, said the platform has given him the exposure he wanted.

"This is the right platform to help me get the big belts, to become a world champion. After trying all in London, I know Balmoral can help me achieve that from here. I love this setup and the spotlight I get from here. Balmoral has a great platform and they showcase all my talents all over the world," Agbaje said.

Adebayo, who has gained attention for his performances under Balmoral, noted how the platform has changed how people see him.

"Many people said they didn’t know I could fight like this, that they thought I was just doing rubbish. But now I have gotten this great chance and they see me, and they know I am heading for greatness," he said.

Boxing manager Osazee Bazuaye of N Effect Mode Limited praised Balmoral's impact, saying they have helped fighters reach new heights.

"We have not combed through all the talents in Lagos enough but we are doing our best to expand our search into Abuja and other territories. Balmoral has taken these boxers into levels they have not even dreamt of before," Bazuaye said.

The title presentation on Thursday came after the Chaos in the Ring 4 event at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on May 1. The event featured a celebrity boxing match where skitmaker Carter Efe beat singer Habeeb ‘Portable’ Badmus by unanimous decision.

Adebayo also won a WBO Africa title that night, defeating former WABU champion Loren Japhet by unanimous decision.