Celebrity Boxing Surges in Nigeria, Outshining Pros

The growing popularity of celebrity boxing in Nigeria is challenging traditional boxing conventions, where professional bouts typically headline events. At the October 1 event, Chaos in the Ring, held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, Ghanaian boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah defeated Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah to win the WBO African Light Heavyweight Continental title.

However, the celebrity matches, including Carter Efe's victory over Speed Darlington and Phyna's knockout of Nkechi Blessing, generated more excitement. Phyna received a reported N50m reward from Worldstreet for her win.

This trend has raised concerns among professional boxers, such as former Universal Boxing Organisation champion Rasheed Idowu, who expressed frustration over the disparity in earnings between celebrities and professional fighters. He emphasized the need for boxers to enhance their social media presence to improve their marketability.

The phenomenon has also seen Afrobeats singer Teni challenge Tiwa Savage to a fight for a N1.5bn purse, indicating the trend's reach.