Boxing

European Boxing Champion Chidinma Grace Pays Courtesy Visit to Abia Sports Commissioner

Published

3 weeks ago

March 12, 2026

Reigning LBO European title holder Nmeregini Chidinma Grace paid a courtesy visit to the Abia State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, in a moment that reflected both appreciation and a return to the roots that helped shape her boxing career.

The accomplished boxer, who hails from Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, used the visit to reconnect with the institution that played a crucial role in her early development as an athlete.

Chidinma’s story is one of remarkable resilience and determination. Having lost both parents at the age of five, she faced significant challenges during her childhood.

However, through discipline and unwavering commitment, she gradually carved a path for herself in the world of boxing.

Her journey began to gain national attention in 2006 when she won a silver medal at the Open Boxing Championship held in Akure.

That early success provided a platform that would later propel her toward greater achievements in the sport.

Between 2006 and 2012, Chidinma’s involvement with the Abia State Sports Council played a pivotal role in strengthening her passion for boxing and shaping her ambitions.

The exposure and support she received during that period laid the foundation for her transition into professional boxing and her eventual rise on the international stage.

During her visit, the European champion commended the progress being recorded in the sports sector under the administration of the Abia State government.

She praised the leadership of the sports ministry for implementing policies and programs aimed at creating opportunities for athletes and nurturing young talents across the state.

Chidinma also expressed appreciation to Commissioner Ananaba for his continued commitment to sports development and for fostering an environment where athletes can thrive and reach their full potential.

Beyond celebrating her achievements, the boxer used the opportunity to inspire young athletes, encouraging them to take advantage of the opportunities available within the sports system.

She emphasized that with the right support structure, dedication, and discipline, sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for personal transformation.

Her journey from adversity to becoming a European boxing champion stands as a powerful testament to perseverance, opportunity, and the life-changing impact of sports development.

/* <![CDATA[ */
(function (document, window) {
var a, c = document.createElement("script"), f = window.frameElement;

c.id = "CleverCoreLoader95885";
c.src = "https://scripts.cleverwebserver.com/2777295adab0c8a007d7f8a0312ad6f2.js";

c.async = !0;
c.type = "text/javascript";
c.setAttribute("data-target", window.name || (f && f.getAttribute("id")));
c.setAttribute("data-callback", "put-your-callback-function-here");
c.setAttribute("data-callback-url-click", "put-your-click-macro-here");
c.setAttribute("data-callback-url-view", "put-your-view-macro-here");

try {
a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
} catch (e) {
a = !1;
}

a || (a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]);
a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a);
})(document, window);
/* ]]> */

The post European Boxing Champion Chidinma Grace Pays Courtesy Visit to Abia Sports Commissioner appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Boxing

Moses Itauma’s Big Revelation: ‘I Gain Inspiration From Reading Books’

Published

1 day ago

March 29, 2026

Bryce Mullins

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.

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.

/* <![CDATA[ */
(function (document, window) {
var a, c = document.createElement("script"), f = window.frameElement;

c.id = "CleverCoreLoader95885";
c.src = "https://scripts.cleverwebserver.com/2777295adab0c8a007d7f8a0312ad6f2.js";

try {
a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
} catch (e) {
a = !1;
}

a || (a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]);
a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a);
})(document, window);
/* ]]> */

The post Moses Itauma’s Big Revelation: ‘I Gain Inspiration From Reading Books’ appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Boxing

Nigeria Fast Rising Female Boxer Ojo Joy Set for Kigali Fight Night Clash Against Kutaka

Published

2 days ago

March 28, 2026

Kenny Malone

This Saturday night, in Kigali Nigeria’s fast-rising prospect Ojo Joy will take another bold step in her young career when she faces Tanzania’s determined challenger Zawadi Kutaka at Kigali Fight Night.

It’s a matchup that feels perfectly poised. Both are 24-year-olds, both hungry, both eager to prove a point, but carrying very different momentum into the ring.

Ojo Joy arrives unbeaten, five fights, five wins, steadily building belief and attention with each outing.

Her journey has been one of quiet consistency, backed by growing confidence after her recent success at Chaos in the Ring and recognition at the Fight Gist Media Boxing Awards.

Each performance has added another layer to her reputation, and in Kigali, she has the chance to take that next leap.

Across the ring stands Kutaka, a fighter whose record tells a more turbulent story, but one that often breeds resilience.

With a mix of wins and losses, the Tanzanian has experienced both ends of the fight game — and that unpredictability could make her a dangerous opponent on the night.

Set in the super-featherweight division, the six-round clash may not carry a title, but it holds real significance.

For Ojo, it is about protecting her perfect record while announcing herself on a bigger stage.

For Kutaka, it is an opportunity to disrupt the narrative and claim a defining victory.

As Kigali hosts the action, the atmosphere is expected to match the stakes — electric, tense, and full of anticipation.

And when the bell rings at the KCC Roundabout, records and predictions will give way to instinct, power, and will.

/* <![CDATA[ */
(function (document, window) {
var a, c = document.createElement("script"), f = window.frameElement;

c.id = "CleverCoreLoader95885";
c.src = "https://scripts.cleverwebserver.com/2777295adab0c8a007d7f8a0312ad6f2.js";

try {
a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
} catch (e) {
a = !1;
}

a || (a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]);
a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a);
})(document, window);
/* ]]> */

The post Nigeria Fast Rising Female Boxer Ojo Joy Set for Kigali Fight Night Clash Against Kutaka appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Boxing

UFC Seattle: Adesanya Returns, Targets Losing Streak Break Against Pyfer

Published

4 days ago

March 26, 2026

Elliot Michael

Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set for a high-stakes return to the Octagon this weekend, as he faces rising contender Joe Pyfer in the headline bout of UFC Seattle.

The event takes place at the Climate Pledge Arena, marking the UFC’s return to Seattle with a stacked 13-fight card.

High Stakes for Adesanya

Adesanya enters the bout under unusual pressure, having suffered three consecutive defeats—an unfamiliar position for one of the UFC’s most dominant middleweights in recent years.

The Nigerian-born striker has been out of action for over a year and will be eager to reassert his elite status.

A victory could reignite his title ambitions, while another loss may raise serious questions about his future at the top level.

Pyfer’s Momentum vs Experience

In contrast, Pyfer comes into the fight riding a three-fight winning streak, rapidly establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous up-and-comers.

Known for his power and aggressive style, Pyfer presents a real threat to Adesanya’s comeback plans.

However, questions remain about whether he has the experience and endurance to handle a five-round main event against a seasoned elite striker.

Main Card:

Middleweight: Adesanya vs Pyfer
Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs Maycee Barber
Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs Niko Price
Featherweight: Julian Erosa vs Lerryan Douglas
Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Yousri Belgaroui
Lightweight: Terence McKinney vs Kyle Nelson
Prelims:
Ignacio Bahamondes vs Tofiq Musayev
Chase Hooper vs Lance Gibson Jr.
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs Tyrell Fortune
Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs Gabriella Fernandes
Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs Bruno Lopes
Bantamweight: Ricky Simon vs Adrian Yanez
Strawweight: Alexia Thainara vs Bruna Brasil

Fight Outlook

This main event presents a classic crossroads clash—Adesanya’s elite pedigree against Pyfer’s surging momentum. While the former champion’s technical striking and experience over five rounds could prove decisive, Pyfer’s power makes him a constant danger.

For Adesanya, it’s more than just a fight—it’s a defining moment in his career.

/* <![CDATA[ */
(function (document, window) {
var a, c = document.createElement("script"), f = window.frameElement;

c.id = "CleverCoreLoader95885";
c.src = "https://scripts.cleverwebserver.com/2777295adab0c8a007d7f8a0312ad6f2.js";

try {
a = parent.document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];
} catch (e) {
a = !1;
}

a || (a = document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0] || document.getElementsByTagName("body")[0]);
a.parentNode.insertBefore(c, a);
})(document, window);
/* ]]> */

The post UFC Seattle: Adesanya Returns, Targets Losing Streak Break Against Pyfer appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.