By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, Dec. 27, 2025
The Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos was a crucible of ambition and raw talent on Saturday night, as GOtv Boxing Night 34 delivered a seismic shift in Nigeria’s domestic boxing hierarchy. The event, masterfully blending sport and entertainment in its ‘Jams Festival’ format, witnessed the coronation of three new kings: Tobiloba ‘Smiling Assassin’ Ijomoni, Sadiq ‘Happy Boy’ Adeleke, and Saddam ‘Baby Boxer’ Oladipupo.
While the undercard provided explosive action—including Emmanuel ‘Ability’ Abimbola’s stunning fourth-round stoppage of the previously unbeaten Sodiq ‘Smart Lion’ Suleiman—the night belonged to the trio who seized their moments with championship poise.
The Headline Heist: Adeleke’s Measured Conquest
The main event was a classic tale of the challenger versus the champion. Sadiq ‘Happy Boy’ Adeleke, facing defending titleholder Durotimi ‘Tiny’ Agboola, executed a near-perfect game plan over ten gruelling rounds. His victory by majority decision was not a flashy knockout but a testament to the often-underrated art of ring generalship. Officials cited his “steady pressure and ring control” as the deciding factors. This win is more than a belt; it’s a blueprint for aspiring boxers on how to dethrone a champion through tactical discipline, cutting off the ring, and consistent, scoring aggression.
The Prodigy’s Statement: Oladipupo’s Dominant Display
Earlier in the evening, Saddam ‘Baby Boxer’ Oladipupo lived up to his burgeoning hype with a commanding performance to claim the national lightweight title. Facing Imole ‘System’ Oloyede, Oladipupo didn’t just win by unanimous decision; he authored a masterclass. Dictating the pace from the centre of the ring, he dominated exchanges with superior footwork and punch selection. A unanimous decision with maximum points from all three judges signals total dominance, suggesting Oladipupo is not just a champion, but a potential future star around whom the division may revolve for years to come.
The Night’s Ultimate Prize: Ijomoni’s Dual Reward
While Adeleke and Oladipupo claimed championship gold, Tobiloba ‘Smiling Assassin’ Ijomoni walked away with the event’s most coveted individual honour: the Mojisola Ogunsanya Best Boxer Trophy and a ₦1 million cash prize. His unanimous decision win over Segun ‘Odi’ Gbobaniyi in an eight-round national lightweight challenge was deemed the most technically proficient and entertaining performance of the night. This award is significant because it recognizes the boxer who combined skill, showmanship, and effectiveness most brilliantly, often a indicator of who is ready for the next level of competition and bigger promotional opportunities.
Beyond the Ring: A Blueprint for Sporting Entertainment
GOtv Boxing Night 34 underscored the evolving model for successful combat sports promotion in Africa. By integrating live musical performances from acts like Shoday and comedy from the Triclowns, the event transformed a boxing card into a broader entertainment spectacle. This approach, , broadens the appeal beyond traditional boxing fans, creating a festive atmosphere that boosts live attendance and viewer engagement. The support from sponsors like MultiChoice, Renmoney, and the Lagos State Sports Commission highlights the growing commercial viability of a well-packaged sports product.
The Final Bell: More than just a series of fights, GOtv Boxing Night 34 was a narrative engine for Nigerian boxing. It showcased a compelling passing of the torch, highlighted the depth of talent waiting in the wings, and proved the sport’s potential as a premier live entertainment product. The victories of Ijomoni, Adeleke, and Oladipupo are not endpoints, but compelling beginnings for the next chapter of their careers and for the sport’s resurgence in the national consciousness.
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo. Event sponsored by GOtv, with support from MultiChoice, Renmoney, ZetaWeb, TheCable and the Lagos State Sports Commission.
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