By Olanrewaju Agiri
Former Director General of the National Sports Commission, Dr Amos Adamu, has weighed in on the ongoing dispute between the Nigeria Boxing Federation and the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, stressing the importance of respecting established structures and regulatory authority in Nigerian boxing.
Dr. Adamu while speaking with journalist at his Lagos residence over the weekend made it clear that professional boxing in Nigeria falls strictly under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, and anyone intending to participate in professional boxing must obtain the appropriate license from the board.
According to him, professional boxing is governed by specific rules and regulations that are different from amateur boxing, and these regulations must be followed strictly to maintain order, safety, and professionalism in the sport.
“If anyone wants to go into professional boxing, he needs to go and get a licence of the Boxing Board, which in this case is the NBBofC. There are rules and regulations, and this must be followed. You must be a member of a Boxing Board to want to rule it.”
He however, emphasized that regulatory authority in professional boxing is not something that can be assumed without proper structure, membership, and recognition within the professional boxing system.
Dr. Adamu also addressed the issue of government involvement, noting that the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control operates independently and does not receive government subventions. Because of this, he argued that there is no justification for a government-funded amateur boxing body attempting to take control of professional boxing under the guise of oversight.
He explained that amateur boxing and professional boxing are traditionally run by separate bodies worldwide, each with its own governance structure, licensing system, and operational guidelines.
He further remarked that such conflicts and attempts to take over the responsibilities of another body would not have been allowed during his tenure as Director General of the NSC, emphasizing the importance of respecting institutional boundaries and sports governance frameworks.
Dr. Adamu concluded by stressing that for Nigerian boxing to grow and maintain international credibility, all stakeholders must respect existing regulations, organizational roles, and the rule of law within sports administration.
