Boxers honor Aboderin as he turns 60

File: The boxers visiting Aboderin

Members of the Progressive Professional Boxers Association of Nigeria, led by President Idris Afini, visited the General Secretary of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, on Monday. They came to celebrate his 60th birthday.

The group included Vice President Obinna Mathew, General Secretary Sikiru Sogbesan, Assistant General Secretary Hamza Idris, Treasurer Samuel Opaogun, and Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole. They appreciated Aboderin for his work in growing professional boxing in Nigeria since he took over.

The boxers recognized the state of professional boxing before Aboderin became involved and how much it has improved under his leadership. They believe that the sport will keep getting better with his guidance and that of NBBofC President Dr Rafiu Oladipo.

They mentioned that due to Aboderin’s leadership, professional boxers are now seeing benefits from their hard work in training, both in the gym and in the ring.

The boxers encouraged Aboderin to keep pushing forward and ignore any critics. They assured him that the professional boxing community fully supports the NBBofC under Oladipo and the rest of the board.

They also promised to support any changes the board plans to make for the health and pay of boxers. They believe these changes will help improve their welfare in the sport.

In response, Aboderin expressed gratitude for the visit and the birthday gift he received. He said that tough times don’t last, but strong people do. He pointed out that boxing may be called the gentleman’s sport, but it takes tough people to participate.

"That hard times don’t last, but hard people do," Aboderin said.

"Though the sport we are into is called the gentleman’s sport, only hard people get involved in it. No matter the challenges we face now, we will overcome them by His grace and the unity of all, because we are not weak people."

Aboderin turned 60 last Friday. He has been the General Secretary of the NBBofC since winning a competitive election and is a key figure in Nigerian boxing administration.