All roads lead to the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, where two of Nigeria’s undefeated boxers, Tosin “Soldierboy” Osaigbovo and former World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Featherweight champion, Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje compete for the vacant World Boxing Association lightweight title.

Dubbed the “Clash of the Unbeaten,” the bout, promoted by Ariya Network in collaboration with De Lad’s Boxing Promotion, brings together two fighters vying not just for the title but with their perfect records at stake.

The 33-year-old Agbaje, who holds a perfect record of 18 fights with 13 knockouts, is stepping up two weight classes from his natural featherweight division to the lightweight category to challenge Osaigbovo, who also remains unbeaten with 12 wins from 12 fights.

Speaking at the press conference and ceremonial face-off in Lagos, Agbaje who represented Nigeria at the Youth Olympic Games in Mozambique and the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010, before clinching gold medals at the 2011 and 2012 National Sports Festivals said he does not know what it means to lose as a professional boxer as he expressed confidence in knocking out Osaigboho in the 7th round for publicly disrespecting and calling him out.

On his part, Osaigbovo confessed that having a shot at his first title excites him and serves as motivation to go up against Agbaje and clinch the vacant WBA lightweight title.

Chairman of Ariya Network, Dr. Idris Badmus, said the collaboration between his organization and De Lad’s Boxing Promotion is a deliberate step toward building a sustainable ecosystem for professional boxing across Africa.

He added that the Ariya Network platform will showcase exceptional talent from the continent and open doors to global recognition.

Represented by Prince Tunji Aderibigbe, Director of Production and Acquisition, he announced that the network is committed to long-term investment in boxing and sports entertainment, while also revealing plans for a premium pay-per-view boxing tournament scheduled for August/September 2026.

Waheed Alade, Chief Executive Officer of De-Lab Boxing Promotion, described the bout as long overdue, while stressing the need for increased corporate investment in boxing.

He noted that the arrival of Ariya Network within Nigeria’s boxing ecosystem is not just a development worthy of celebration, but a partnership that will uplift the sport beyond West Africa.

Alade explained that improved sponsorship would lead to more professionally organised fights and greater opportunities for boxers to thrive.

The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and the World Boxing Association (WBA) have sanctioned the much-anticipated bout, which will headline a card featuring five additional fights.

Speaking ahead of the event, NBB of C Secretary Remi Aboderin, representing President Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, is looking forward to an evening of pure boxing bliss.

NBB of C also confirmed supporting bouts, including an eight-round light welterweight clash between Taiye “No Mercy” Fajimi and Saddam Olayipo, and a featherweight contest between Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan and Oluwatosin Adeshina. A 10-round lightweight fight between Segun Gbobaniyi and Ahmed Lawal is also scheduled.

Adding an international edge to the event, the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana continues as Nigeria’s Afolabi “Blackgold” Shittu will square up against Ghana’s David Tego in a regional showdown.

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The rivalry between Nigerian boxers Ridwan Oyekola and Tosin Osaigbovo has reignited after a series of heated exchanges on social media, with Oyekola issuing a bold rematch challenge backed by a $20,000 wager.

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Oyekola, popularly known as “Scorpion,” took to Facebook to declare his readiness for a second showdown, urging Osaigbovo and his management team to accept the challenge.

The Ibadan-born fighter proposed that both camps stake $20,000 each, with the bout to be staged in Mexico and broadcast globally.

“I’m now fully ready to call you out for a rematch and promise to prove you wrong… tell your management to put $20,000 and my management will do the same. Let’s take the fight to Mexico and show the world who is the best,” Oyekola wrote.

Background to the Rivalry

The bad blood between both fighters dates back to their December 29, 2024 clash at the Campus Mini Stadium on Lagos Island, where Osaigbovo defeated Oyekola via unanimous decision in an eight-round lightweight contest.

Despite some observers believing Oyekola started stronger, Osaigbovo’s superior technique, movement, and consistent jab earned him the nod from all three judges.

The victory was seen as a breakout performance for the undefeated prospect.

Tensions resurfaced recently after Oyekola joined the training camp of Taiwo “Esehpo” Agbaje, who is set to face Osaigbovo for the vacant WBA Africa Lightweight title later this month.

Osaigbovo reportedly mocked his former opponent, dismissing his influence and referring to him as “one Ibadan boy,” a comment that further fueled the feud.

Boxer Profiles

Tosin “Sojar Boy” Osaigbovo

Osaigbovo is one of Nigeria’s fastest-rising boxing prospects, boasting an unbeaten professional record and competing in the lightweight division.

Known for his well-rounded style, he combines solid defensive awareness with sharp counterpunching and ring intelligence.

The Lagos-based fighter has recorded multiple stoppage victories and continues to build momentum ahead of his biggest career test — a WBA Africa Lightweight title fight against Agbaje scheduled for April 26, 2026, at the National Stadium in Surulere.

Ridwan “Scorpion” Oyekola

Oyekola, a former WBF International Super Featherweight champion, has carved a reputation as a relentless and aggressive fighter.

Born in Ibadan, his journey to prominence is widely regarded as inspirational, having risen from working as a commercial motorcycle rider to competing on the international stage.

Since turning professional in 2017, Oyekola has fought across multiple countries, including Japan and Mexico, and recently secured a victory in Cuernavaca as he continues his pursuit of a world title opportunity.

What Next?

With Osaigbovo focused on his upcoming title bout against Agbaje, attention now turns to whether his camp will entertain Oyekola’s lucrative rematch proposal.

If accepted, the bout could develop into one of the most compelling rivalries in Nigerian boxing, with national pride and growing international attention at stake.

The post Oyekola’s Scorpion Stings, Throws $20k Bet on the Table, Demands Rematch with Sojar for Calling Him ‘One Omo Ibadan’ appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

History making Nigerian-born heavyweight boxer, Moses Itauma has come out with a startling revelation that he likes reading motivational books as a source of inspiration during his free time.

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Sports247 reports that, just ahead of his epochal clash with USA’s Jermaine Franklin, who he knocked out in round five on Friday night in Manchester, England, Itauma said reading is his main hobby.

The 21-year-old fastest growing young heavyweight of the new generation disclosed that reading the works of great authors inspires him to equally aspire for greatness in his career.

His reading habit appears to be working, as the lad from Kent has galloped into global limelight just six years after he and his younger brother, Samuel, had to ‘manage’ their pocket money by eating light.

At that point, Itauma recalled he would sleep anywhere he could find, even a bathtub, on trips to watch his colleagues fight around Europe; but all that struggling to eke out a living has now speedily turned into days of comfort.

Three months since turning 21, Itauma has developed an even stronger appetite for reading, through which he learnt self-improvement and self-discovery from literary giants like Jiddu Krishnamurti and Niccolo Machiavelli.

His hunger for books has seemingly helped Itauma step out of poverty into fortune and fame, just three years into his pro career, and he can now enjoy fine things of life, along with his family and friends, but the boxing prodigy won’t forget the past.

“My dad used to give us £7 for the week and we would go and get the rice and mayonnaise from the shop. I think Samuel was the one doing the cooking but I was on the washing up.

“I slept in the bath when we used to go on trips for boxing tournaments. I was always the one who ended up on the floor or in the bath, but it was only for a couple of nights when the other boys were boxing.

“I was never a big fan of reading because I found it hard to click with books, but then I found a couple that I liked and now I am on the rampage. I just ordered about 50 books,” Itauma revealed.

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