Ahead of their bout, former African Boxing Union featherweight champion, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, and his next opponent, Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, the national champion, have launched a war of words. Both boxers are due to clash in a national featherweight challenge contest at GOtv Boxing Night 19, scheduled to hold on July 14, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos.
Skoro, who lost a bid for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa title to a South African in July 2018, has boasted that Agbaje will be defeated in dismissive fashion. While admitting that the national champion is a good boxer, Skoro, however, he boasted that he has too much ability for a boxer of Agbaje’s profile.
“Agbaje is good, but not great. I have fought great boxers and he cannot be listed among such. He will be defeated in the fourth round. He is still many levels below the opponents I have defeated and therefore stands no chance,” said Skoro.
But the national champion believes that Skoro’s claim of superiority is empty. Agbaje, winner of the best boxer award at GOtv Boxing Night 16, said Skoro’s time has long gone.
“He is old and weak. I’m young, strong and quicker. I will show him that his time has gone. It is a waste of time to trade words with him. Actually, I speak better with my fists and Skoro will hear me loud and clear when he starts feeling a rain of punches,” bragged Agbaje.
Also, rising featherweight boxer, Tope “TP Rock” Musa has announced his desire to be the next national champion in the division. The boxer, whose next fight is against Kazeem “The Light” Oliwo, said he sees his opponent as a stepping-stone to the national title.
“I’m convinced that I will be the next champion. The fight with Oliwo is a warm-up for me. He is far behind me and I do not expect any other outcome than victory because I’m better and fully prepared,” said TP Rock.
Not many will dismiss his claim, given his performance at GOtv Boxing Night 16, which he narrowly lost to Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje, the current national champion and winner of the best boxer award at the event.
“I lost narrowly, but everybody present knew I gave a good account of myself. It was a really close contest and I’m certain that if the opportunity presents itself again, I will defeat Esepo,” he said.
GOtv Boxing Night 19 will be beamed live on Africa’s biggest sport channel, SuperSport, in 47 African countries.
Anthony Nlebem
