Two Nigerian pugilists, Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan and Mary Aina Abbey, are poised to represent the country in separate fights overseas on October 19.
Shogbesan (17-3-1, 9 KOs) will make his international debut against Belgium’s Francesco Patera (29-5-0, 11 KOs) in a lightweight clash at Hall Omnisport De La Prealle in Herstal, Liege, Belgium.
Shogbesan comes into this fight following a draw in his last outing against Azeez Lateef in an eight-round super featherweight contest at the Total Destruction event held at the National Institute for Sports, Lagos State, in July.
In Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK, Nigerian police officer Abbey (12-1-0, 10 KOs) will challenge Britain’s Nicola Hopewell (5-1-0, 1 KO) for the Commonwealth flyweight title at Skate Central.
Abbey, the WBF International Super-Flyweight champion, is coming off her first career defeat, a majority decision loss to French boxer Jeyssa Marcel in Nantes, France.
The 27-year-old was dissatisfied with that result, claiming being disadvantaged by the home crowd.
“I was not happy with the result because they used home advantage for her, despite the fact that the girl (Marcel) is bigger than me,” Abbey told PUNCH Sports Extra after the bout.
However, the setback has not deterred Abbey from her world championship aspirations, saying, “I know I feel cheated, but all the same life goes on, I will never relent until I become a world champion.”
Her power-punching prowess is evident in her record, with 10 of her 12 victories coming by way of knockout, and she needs to be at her best against Hopewell, who will be making the first defence of her Commonwealth title.
