Ogun Governor’s Belt Ends In Grand Style, As Ayobami Inducted Into Boxing Hall Fame

By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
Hundreds of boxing supporters and fans across Ogun State got value for their money spent to watch the debut edition of Ogun Governor’s Belt, which ended in grand style at the Alake sports centre, Ijeja, Abeokuta on Saturday night.
The boxing event was a talked of the town sporting event held at the capital city as who and who in the game stormed the Alake centre to give their support and also watch what was described as the best boxing event in the recent time in the state.
The boxing show also featured the induction of boxers into the 11th Quarterly Boxing Hall of Fame, and commissioning of the Olympic standard boxing ring, that was pit into usage at the event, and to the admiration of boxers and boxing lovers as well as the guests.
At the end of the ten bouts and two exhibition bouts slated for the night, Kasali Ayobami, 52kg category was adjudged the overall best boxer of the championship, thus beat nine other winners that cut across various categories.
The 28 years old Ayobami, from Phase One boxing club, demonstrated his technical skills to the amazement of the panel of judges, who were convinced beyond measures to declare him as the best winner, having recorded a convincing 5/0 victory over his opponent, Kenneth Ameh from De-Shield boxing club.
This victory hitherto placed him in the 11th Quarterly Boxing Hall of Fame, while he was decorated with the overall winner belt for the debut edition. Also, he was presented with another valuable prize neatly packaged by the organisers, Ogun State Boxing Association in conjunction with the state boxing hall of fame.
In a chat with sports writers, Ayobami dedicated his victory to Almighty God. He also dedicated it to his team of coaches whom God has been using to tutor him in the game over the years, adding that his journey would not have come into reality, if not for their inputs and love towards him and others boxers in the club.
Speaking further, Ayobami, a refrigerator repairer affirmed that he concentrated more on boxing training than his handwork learnt, with the belief that he can achieve greater heights in sports too coupled with his work.
“My next line of action is to represent Nigeria at international championships in due season, and to ply my boxing profession outside Nigeria and become works champion. 
The likes of Anthony Joshua and Floyd Mayweather are some of the boxers I am looking unto in the game. I am training hard to follow their footsteps and I believe with hard work and dedication, I will achieve my goals,” the silver medalist at the Abuja 2018 national sports festival said.
Moreover, in the other male bouts decided, Taiwo Ogunbowale, Ultimate boxing club beat his opponent in the 49kg, Awwal Balogun from Destiny Villa boxing club by unanimous decision of 5/0, while Solomon Adekunle, K 1 boxing club suffered lots of punches from Sanusi Abiodun from NSCDC in the 57kg, this forced the ring referee to stop the fight in the second round.
Also, Sodiq Ayakojo of Three Stars boxing club endured lots of punches to win the 63kg bout against his rival, Kabiru Sodiya from Korater boxing club by split decisions, 3/2. Sholanke Oladimeji, Champion boxing club was lucky with a 3/2 split decisions over Popoola Sodiq, OKB boxing club in the 69kg.
Furthermore, Ademuyiwa Kehinde of NSCDC recorded 5/0 unanimous decisions over Gbenro Kehinde, One on One boxing club in the 75kg, just as the 81kg bout between Dimeji Salami of Bayelsa boxing club and Rasheed Fatai, Champion club ended in favour of the latter. 
Similarly, in the three female bouts decided, Damilola Sodipe of Champion boxing club though gave a good account of herself against Halimot Gbadamosi of K 1 boxing club in the 57kg, bit it was not enough to stop Gbadamosi from winning the  fight by 3/2 split decisions  by the judges.
In the 60kg, it was ring referee decision to stop the contest as Tijani Fadilat, Champion club delivered heavy punches that could have crushed Abiodun Adedeji of Bone Crusher club in the second round, while Bolanle Shogbamu, Champion club turned Ekpenyong Jessie Peter of Akwa Ibom boxing club into punching bag with a 5/0 decisions in the 75kg.
The highlight of the boxing event was the presentation of medals and other various awards to all the contestants, while guests were not left out of the presentation.