Diaspora Fighters Return as National Boxing Week Kicks Off in Lagos
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Foreign-based Nigerian boxers have begun arriving in Lagos for the inaugural National Boxing Week, marking a significant build-up to the country’s preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifiers.
The week-long event, running from 1 to 6 March at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex inside the National Stadium, will host the National Open Trials aimed at selecting athletes to represent Nigeria at the next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Officials say the initiative reflects ongoing reforms within the Nigeria Boxing Federation to prioritise merit and restore confidence in the sport’s selection process.
The competition is expected to draw both home-based fighters and members of the diaspora, creating what organisers describe as a transparent and competitive pathway to national selection.
Vice President of the federation, Omonlei Imadu, noted that the return of overseas athletes signals renewed trust in the system. He emphasised that places in the Commonwealth Games squad will be decided strictly on performance, adding that the trials are designed to ensure fairness across all weight divisions.
The open trials will feature 10 weight categories across the men’s and women’s classes. Boxing clubs, state associations, educational institutions and eligible Nigerian fighters worldwide are permitted to register one athlete per weight class, widening participation and national representation.
Beyond the bouts, the programme includes technical seminars for referees and coaches, as well as orientation sessions for athletes focused on discipline and professional standards. Stakeholder discussions are also planned to address structural improvements within Nigeria’s domestic boxing framework.
The federation is also set to introduce new digital reforms, including an automated licensing platform and upgraded governance systems aimed at strengthening administrative efficiency and athlete management.
National Boxing Week will also pay tribute to the late boxing legend Hogan Bassey, whose achievements placed Nigerian boxing on the global map. Organisers describe the event as a turning point that blends competition, reform and heritage in a renewed push to reposition the sport nationally and internationally.
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