History of Boxing in Nigeria

Amateur boxing started in Nigeria alongside professional boxing because the men that run amateur are also responsible for organizing pro boxing in the country. Mr. Bob. Fraulkner, a welfare officer in Lagos introduced boxing to the youths in Lagos in 1943. The formation of youth clubs  saw the birth of youths activities in earnest in 1944; and boxing was the prominent game for the boys. The spread of youth clubs from Lagos island to Mainland at the end of 1944, encouraged the spread of boxing and eventually led to organizing competitions between Island boxing clubs and Mainland Boxing clubs. After having such competitions for almost two years, (1994 to 1946), it eventually led to the formation of an Association.

Nojeem Maiyegun, the first Nigerian to win an Olympic medal 
(Image at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games)

Messrs Jack Fransworth, Nibelett, Spencer, Maslermon, O’Dwyer, Lynch and many other interested lovers of boxing helped to form the Association in 1946. Mr. Faulkner was the first chairman, while Mr. Niblett became the first secretary. Mr. Faulkner, head of social welfare department in Lagos saw to it that many members of his department were involved in organizing boxing tournaments; hence we have Mr. E.I. Jegede, Mr. Olu Oguntokun and Mr. A.O. Williams taking keen interest in organizing boxing in Clubs and Institutions. For the first time ever, boxing was inckuded in the Common-wealth Games in Cardiff, 1988 and the only two boxers that went are Idi Garuba and Ado Garuba (who won a bronze medal).

The Europeans who organized boxing gradually dropped from taking active part in the running of the association. And so, a Nigerian in person of Mr. E,I, Jegede became an Assistant Secretary to Mr. Niblett in 1957. In 1960, when the country got her independence, all the European members of the Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association gave up their postsand asked Nigerians who had been working closely with the Europeans to take over the running of the association. Late Agbaje, residing in Ibadan became the National chairman while Mr, Jegede became the National Secretary and also the Chairmn of the Lagos State Amateur Boxing association.  It was difficult to distinguish between the two associations because there was no other association functioning properly at that time. 

An annual grant of 2,000 pounds was given to the Nigerian Amateur boxing Association, to enable it pay the salary if the National Coach, Mr. Hagan Kid Bassey who was the first to win a World Championship in 1957 was appointed the first National boxing coach in 1960. In 1962, a line of demarcation was drawn between those to run Amateur Association and Professional boxing in Nigeria and thus became two different bodies manning boxing in Nigeria. Amateur Boxing then took the m=name- Nigeria Amateur Boxing Association, while the professional body took the name of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control. In 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, Nojeem Maiyegun won a Bronze medal in the light middle weight category, making him the first Nigerian to win an Olympic Medal. In 1984 Los Angelis Olympics, Peter Konyeywache won a Silver medal in the feather weight category. In 1992 Barcelona Olympics, David Izonritei won another silver medal in the Heavy weight category.

How to Reference this article

Ademola, V. D (2018). History of Boxing in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.youdread.com/2018/09/history-of-boxing-in-nigeria.html