Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight Champion, Bashiru Oloruntoyin Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to support his long-delayed world title fight to take place in Uyo.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner for Sports, Elder Paul Bassey, the 69-year-old boxer, who has spent nearly two decades lobbying for official support, said the proposed bout, aimed at securing a Guinness World Record, is expected to attract participants from 132 countries.
“A Guinness world record boxing championship fight has never been held on the soil of Africa before, mine would be the first and the most lucrative. 132 countries are coming to Nigeria to be part of boxing history and over forty-six thousand people have agreed to buy ringside tickets at the rate of $500 to watch this historic fight in Nigeria,” he said.
Ali said Uyo was chosen as the host city due to the standard facilities, like road network, hotels, security and its serene environment, especially the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium which he said is the proposed venue for the historic fight.
He commended Governor Eno for his passion for sports development, adding that the world record fight will further announce the state and the achievements of the government to the global community.
Responding, the Sports Commissioner, Elder Paul Bassey acknowledged the commendation on Governor Umo Eno’s achievements in sports in the last two years, and informed his guest that sport is a priority in the governor’s ARISE Agenda with the focus being grassroots development.
He congratulated Bash Ali, the first African to win the cruiserweight boxing title for attempting to set a world record at the age of 69 and particularly for choosing to do so in Akwa Ibom.
He described the world record fight as a sports tourism, not only for Akwa Ibom, but the country at large due to the number of international visitors such events attract and assured that the state government was opened to such partnership and international sporting event.
