Watching the grueling pound for pound boxing the other night at super influential Ezekiel Adamu’s ‘Chaos in the Ring’ spectacle , I started wondering if it would not be easier and less traumatising to be a porn star than being a boxer
The blows fell with acute precision, the upper cuts, the jabs, the weaving, the leg walk all adding to a superb night of excellent boxing
As blood spilled, the huge crowd at the iconic Federal Palace Hotel in Lagos bayed for more
Like the Roman mob in the Collisuem bayed for blood as gladiators fought to the death, this Lagos crowd wanted more as boxer after boxer excuded supreme talent in the ring
As the boxer was examined by the ringside Doctor, I looked into his eyes – he would have been handsome if he hadn’t chosen a career where he revlceived blows for a living
Ezekiel, a scion of a legendary sports family – his father is the famous Amos Adamu and he has a brother in international football administration – has succeeded in bringing back the glory days of boxing to Nigeria
Growing up in Shomolu and near the Army Sports Camp I had a ringside view of the golden days of Nigerian boxing as all the big fighters came to the camp to train
The Obisia Nwakpa /Soul Mamby fight still rankles in my mind as we all rushed to the Sports camp to watch the great Obisia train for the fight
Jerry Okorodudu, the Nigerian Olympic boxing squad all trained there
I still remember my childhood friend Lambert spar with the great Bash Ali
Boxing was second most popular sports in Nigeria after Football and we did very well internationally
From Hogan Kid Bassey our first World champion down to the later Champions, Nigeria held its own in boxing
But the military era and a drowning economy led to the demise of the sports with some of our heroes dying from neglect
With time, we moved on. We totally forgot our passion for the sports and started following premiership and the rest
But Ezekiel my brother said No and came up with a brilliant strategy – mixing celebrity and boxing
Social media had thrown up a new range of celebrities with huge followership
These content creators with millions of followers and the raw uncouth approach to life was the madness needed to pull in the crowd and in that mix, he throws in the real Amateur boxers and that was the winner
As this particular show was going on. I looked around me and beheld the massive crowd
Every inch of the huge Federal Palace grounds was filled up and I smiled
In the crowd was a smattering of celebrities and notable Nigerians
From me, thru Chigurl to Daddy Showkey and songstress Waje and very prominent Businessmen like Femi Tejuoso, Femi Bakare, Lekan Ajisafe all garnished with a little bit of prominent faces within the Lagod Political space – Obanikoro, Ajala the influential engine room of the Hamzat’s winning campaign with my brother Lekan Fotudo the very likable Chairman of Lagos Sports Commision
This is now a Multi-billion Naira boxing franchise with a rich complement of sponsors – BetNaija leading the fore
You can imagine its impact on the economy – from employment to infrastructural development to deepening engagement with various sectors like hospitality, aviation, media and the rest, Ezekiel is nore than doing his own as contribution to our National economic renaisance.
The event, coverered live also pulling in millions of eye balls making it an iconic and feverish part of our growing youth culture
The boxing proper was so well organised, complete with International boxing standards and a ring side medical personnel who jumped in ever so quickly to ensure medical safety.
In discussions with music legend, Daddy Showkey, the issue of life insurance for these boxers came up
We were not sure this cover was in place and this led to a heated argument with Daddy Showkey enthusing that this was one of the reasons for the initial demise of the sport on our country
I am not sure life insurance was not taken out and will confirm with Ezekiel on this
That apart, it was a superb evening of sporting excellence, show manship and class
Unfortunately, I could not wait for the Marquee events – the Phyna/ Nkechi Blessing rumble and the top billing of the Night, Carter Efe and Speed Darlington brawl
I had however seen enough to give Ezekiel and his team including his wonderful Media consultant – Latasha Five stars for what they had achieved and would continue to achieve with this franchise
With all these, I still think its a far easier way to earn a living doing porn than being pummeled into a marsh potato in a ring by a hungry fighter.
Come and beat me
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: October 5, 2026
