By Olanrewaju Agiri
Veteran Nigerian boxer Bash Ali has publicly reaffirmed his support for the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, stating that the body has consistently regulated boxing activities in Nigeria and contributed to the development and protection of boxers over several decades.
Ali, who has long pursued a Guinness World Record boxing project in Nigeria, noted that the board has been involved in his boxing career since his first professional fight in the country on December 5, 1987. According to him, that fight, along with all his subsequent bouts in Nigeria, was regulated by the NBBofC.
He also emphasized that the Federal Government has historically included the NBBofC in Local Organizing Committees (LOC) set up for his Guinness World Record fight project. He listed several administrations that formally included the board in organizing committees, including the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in November 2006, former President Goodluck Jonathan in January 2014, and former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2019.
Ali further stated that the National Assembly of Nigeria has also included the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control in the upcoming inauguration of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee, with the official invitation expected to be ready soon.
The veteran boxer reiterated his loyalty to the board, stating that he stands firmly with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control for its role in regulating the sport, protecting fighters, and supporting boxing development in Nigeria.
The Bash Ali Boxing Project, which aims to stage a historic Guinness World Record boxing fight in Nigeria, has faced multiple delays over the years due to administrative, regulatory, and organizational challenges, but efforts appear to be ongoing to revive the project through government-backed organizing committees.
He however restating his continued support for the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control and its involvement in the upcoming boxing project.
