The stories of Samuel Okon Peter and Olarewaju Durodola are quite popular in the global boxing terrain, as officers in the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), who carry the country’s banner high on the international sports scene.
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The same applies to another esteemed pugilist from the NPF, Superintendent Sulaimon Olagbade Abiodun (aka Tyson Kill), a former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super-welter weight champion, who is in Lagos with a message for all young ones.
Olagbade started making waves in 2011 and, while still in active service with the police at Sango-Ota in Ogun State, quickly picked a log of 14 wins, two draws and no defeat, thereby setting him unto the global stage, which he took with unequalled determination and zeal.
He got his nickname from his fighting style, which is akin to that of American legend, Mike Tyson, while ‘Kill’ was added to it during a visit to Burkina Faso, but his biggest fight came in Bradford, England.
Olagbade reflected on how he got that far, saying it was simply because he took the bull by the horn and did not depend on sponsorship or backing from any form of government to boost his boxing career.
The man fondly called ‘Supo’ confessed that he is not happy with the shape of boxing in Nigeria at present, but admitted he does not have the power to change the current malady that is affecting the sport.
He added: “I am a born boxer, and I loved boxing right from my childhood. I’ve put myself fully into it, and I thank God for where I am today.
“When we talk about boxing in Nigeria, I’m not really okay with the way it is going; because I’ve been abroad, and I know what is done there.
“For now, there is nothing I can do to make things better, but if I can get to a higher place of authority, I will know how to develop Nigerian boxing to a higher level.”
He then forwarded one method of approach that paved the way for his successful strides in the roped square at home and abroad.
“What I know about Nigeria is that you can only help yourself. That’s why I always help myself by going out alone to uplift my status. I don’t wait for the government to sponsor me.
“Even when I went to fight in London, it was not Nigerian government that took me there. I helped myself, and God answered my prayer.
“So, if you want to be a champion in boxing, just help yourself. Don’t wait for the government to do it for you and everybody… you must help yourself,” Olagbade stressed.
He also gave a summary of his boxing itinerary and added: “I had just nine local fights before I travelled to London to fight. I had my WBO world title in Nigeria at Landmark Centre. That’s where I became a world champion.
“Then, I had to go to Bradford in UK to defend it. After that, I went to Scotland to fight for another WBO belt. It’s just a matter of opportunity and how to make the best of it.”
Olagbade is now one of the ‘poster boys’ currently being used to publicise the forthcoming evening of several boxing bouts billed for the National Stadium, Surulere on Sunday, July 21st, tagged ‘Chaos In Lagos,’ from the stable of Unboxx Sports & Entertainment Limited.
