The frills and thrills of the third edition of the Gifted Cole boxing competition came to the pinnacle on Saturday with Muyibi Olalekan going home with a brand new car and cash prize of N1m.
The well attended event which took place at the Rock Drive, Lekki Phase One, saw amateur boxers from different parts of Lagos State jostle for honours in different categories.
There were also exhibition fights to light up the occasion.
At the end of over 20 gruelling contests, Oshoba Elizabeth and Tomiwa Sadiq emerged joint third runners-up. The duo went home with a cash prize of N300, 000.
Afolabi Shittu, who was one of the talented boxers on parade at the competition, was adjudged the second runner-up and got N500,000 for his effort.
An elated Olalekan, who was picked as the best boxer at the competition thank God and the organisers for his victory.
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“I’m short of words, I don’t know how to describe the feeling within me at the moment. I just want to thank God and Gifted Cole, who is the man behind this laudable event for what he is doing for us amateur boxers,” Olalekan told reporters after receiving his car and car prize.
“For me, this is the starting point and it will inspire me to keep working hard as a boxer. May the Lord continue to bless Gifted Cole and empower him to do more for us.
Cole also expressed the motivation behind the event and promised to do more to enhance the growth of boxing in Nigeria.
“The biggest motivation for me is seeing this young boxers on social media trying to show off their skills. For me, it is important to contribute to their growth and development, which is what we are doing right now.
“There are a lot of talent boxers in Nigeria and I’m doing my best to help nurture their talents. We picked three boxers from the second edition, who will be travelling out of the country soon.
“For us, it is all about giving back to the society and helping these boxers have a better future.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event are popular musician Daddy Showkey and former Super Eagles forward Gbolahan Salami.
