African boxers storm Lagos for inaugural WBC Amateur Boxing Championship

By Olaolu Joseph

Amateur boxers from across Africa are set to gather in Lagos, Nigeria, for the maiden edition of the Yucateco World Boxing Council (WBC) Amateur Boxing Championship.

The championship is scheduled to take place at the Centre of Excellence, Lagos, from February 6 to 8, 2025.

Organizers of this historic event, Yucateco Boxing Promotions—Africa’s leading boxing organization—have chosen the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium as the venue.

This championship will serve as a qualifier for the inaugural WBC Amateur Boxing World Cup, slated to hold in Mexico later this year. It will feature boxers from Kenya, Uganda, Togo, Senegal, Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, and host nation Nigeria.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Omonlei Yakubu Imadu, described the championship as a groundbreaking moment for amateur boxing in Africa.

“I am excited that my promotion has made this a reality. Hosting the first-ever WBC amateur tournament in Africa is no small feat, and I’m especially proud that it’s happening in my home country, Nigeria,” Imadu said.

He added, “We are bringing the world to Lagos, and I am overwhelmed with joy over this development.” Imadu also revealed that the president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Mauricio Sulaimán, and the president of the Africa Boxing Union (ABU), Houcine Houichi, will be in Nigeria with their teams for this remarkable event.

Imadu, who also serves as the president of the Boxing Promoters Association of Nigeria (BPAN), announced that the Most Valuable Boxers in each weight category would be awarded the prestigious WBC Amateur title belt.