By Isaac Afolabi
No doubt Nigeria has a famous boxer and before you mention five the name Bash Ali will pop up.
Bash Ali is one name that stands out as a symbol of perseverance, resilience, and unmatched determination and a role model among Nigerian boxers and youth generally.
Bash Ali born and raised in Nigeria has etched his name in the country’s sporting history as one of its most celebrated boxing champions.
With a career spanning several decades, Ali’s journey is an inspiring tale of overcoming odds and leaving an indelible mark on the world of boxing.
Bash Ali, born on February 27, 1953, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory of Abuja demonstrated a passion for boxing and dreamed of becoming a world champion.
However, his journey was not an easy one. Growing up in a country with limited infrastructure and resources for boxing, Ali faced numerous obstacles on his path to success.
Let me also let you know that in the early 1970s, Ali began his professional boxing career, competing in the lightweight division and with every fight, Ali’s skills and tenacity became more apparent. His lightning-fast jabs, powerful hooks, and unwavering focus made him a formidable opponent in the ring.
In 1985, Ali achieved a significant milestone in his career by winning the African Boxing Union (ABU) light-middleweight title. This victory marked the beginning of a series of impressive achievements. Over the years, Ali clinched numerous national and continental titles, earning him the reputation of being one of Africa’s finest boxers.
Notably, in 2003, Ali set his sights on a historic endeavor – becoming the oldest boxing champion in history. He embarked on a journey to break the record held by George Foreman. Ali’s relentless pursuit of this goal became a testament to his unwavering dedication to the sport. Despite facing numerous hurdles, including financial constraints and bureaucratic challenges, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of his dream.
Despite these challenges, Bash Ali’s spirit remains unbroken, and he continues to fight for recognition and support for Nigerian boxing.
Bash Ali’s name will forever be synonymous with Nigerian boxing and recently he had a chat with another notable Nigeria pro wrestling activist, manager and promoter of over three decades, Olusesan Olukoya which gave many fans a hope that something is a about to happen.
Olusesan Olukoya is popular for his charismatic prowess, administrative skills in organising successful pro wrestling Championship in countries like Cameroon, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Ghana. He has been to the United States of America to meet some of the best wrestlers in the world.
Olukoya as the Secretary General of the Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) is about to stage a pro wrestling championship in Yaounde, Cameroon tagged BATTLEGROUND 2023 which will bring down “the Golden Boy” Dr. Jim McDowell to Africa for the first time.
Olukoya’s chat with Bash Ali is commendable and gave us a hope that Nigeria may finally staged the Guinness book of Records bout for Bash Ali while other bout will also be staged to celebrate Bash Ali the Nigerian nightmare.
