GOING by the potentials that abound in the country, there are strong indications that Nigeria can still produce world champions in boxing.This was the conclusion of Wale Oladunjoye, a member of the Nigerian delegation to the just concluded 49th Annual Convention of the World Boxing Council (WBC) held in Las Vegas, United States.Oladunjoye, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to Lagos State Governor, said 'the convention was very eventful with interests and support from world renowned boxers and promoters looking forward to boxing exploits from Nigeria again after so much lull.'We have promised them that shortly - that is, one to three years from now - new skilful and talented boxers would emerge on the world stage from our blessed nation due to the effort in place currently.'Shedding more light on how Nigerian Olusegun Ajose, a mandatory challenger to the WBC Super Lightweight champion, Mexican Eric Morales, was given a delayed date to face the holder, Oladunjoye said that 'Ajose's case had been decided on the floor of the convention two days to the conclusion that he was the mandatory challenger to Morales.Whether the Mexican wins against Danny Garcia in January or not, the winner of the bout must fight Ajose. And if this fight does not hold, then Morales must fight Ajose at a date to be agreed on, hopefully before the middle of 2012.He said: 'There is no cause for alarm because from what we saw at the convention, the WBC wants Ajose to take a shot at the world title as soon as possible and I don't see any politics at play here.I want all Nigerians to encourage and support our own mandatory challenger, Olusegun Ajose, who is the number one on the old and current rate of WBC in the world to beat whoever comes to fight him to retain his No.1 rating and get the slot to be challenged for the title thereafter all over the world for the mega bucks that would heavily promote Ajose, his coach, Joe Mensah, and ultimately our own dear Nigeria.'I believe the effort of all Nigerians who are behind him in this crusade would become worthwhile and glaring when Ajose becomes the new, undisputed world champion by His grace.'The delegation led by the President, Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBC) and Vice-President, African Boxing Union (ABU), Dr. Godwin Kanu, also had the President General, Nigeria Football and other Sports Supporters Club, Rafiu Ladipo, Victor John, Folorunsho Jacob, President of Pro Referees, Lasisi Bisiriyu, and Lati Muis, a WBC referee.
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