AT least eight clubs are expected to compete at the inaugural edition of the Yucateco Boxing League scheduled to begin November 6 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
Chairman of Yucateco Boxing Promotions, Omole Imadu, revealed this during a press conference at the Teslim Balogun Stadium on Thursday.
“More than 80 boxers, registered under 8 clubs will be battling for the prize money and the inaugural YBL trophy after the three-month-long league,
“Every participant in the YBL will be well rewarded and we are looking forward to making the league bigger and better each season,” Imadu said.
Technical Director of the League, Babatunde Laguda, told journalists that the championship is designed to discover and prepare boxers for national and international assignments. He declared that the YBL will operate under Olympic-style boxing rules.
Uthman Okunnu, Technical Director at the Lagos State Sports Commission, commended the promoters of the YBL for creating a platform for developing athletes able to win laurels for the State at various events, especially the National Sports Festival. He added that Lagos State would be providing all necessary support for the league, which he said was a good example of public-private collaboration as no government could do it all alone.
With the first round of matches held on the 6th and 7th of November 2023, at the National Institute for Sports Gymnasium Hall, National Surulere, the YBL will be staged at different venues across Lagos State in its first edition.
This is both to make the league more accessible to fans and to create a statewide fanbase for boxers. Imadu added that nothing was being left to chance as boxers’ welfare has been well attended to. Apart from being registered for NHIS and with HMOs, boxers are also required to undergo regular medical check-ups.
They will also be subject to random drug tests, in and out of competition. Officials, including coaches referee judges, as well as boxers, will also be exposed to various workshops and seminars to keep them skilled and abreast of global trends.
