New WBA Africa Lightweight Champion Eyes Three-Division Title in Nigeria
After securing a unanimous decision victory over Tosin “Sojar Boy” Osaigbovo on Sunday, Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje has set his sights on an ambitious goal: becoming a three-division champion in Nigeria. The new WBA Africa lightweight champion revealed that he had already reached out to the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control about his aspirations before the fight.
“I have called the appropriate body. I already told them I want to control three division weights in Nigeria before this fight because I knew I would win the belt. I want to be a three-division champion, that is, featherweight, super-featherweight, and lightweight. I know I can do it,” Agbaje said.
The declaration comes just hours after Agbaje, a former WBF Intercontinental featherweight champion, claimed the WBA Africa lightweight title at the sold-out Brai Ayanote Boxing Hall in the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. This victory improved his record to 19-0, marking his first title in a weight class two divisions above where he began his professional career.
A Bold Statement from a Confident Fighter
Agbaje’s confidence was evident not only in his performance but also in his comments about potential rematch scenarios. When asked about a possible rematch with Osaigbovo, Agbaje dismissed the idea, turning the pre-fight words of his opponent back on him.
“None of my opponents have ever come back to me for a rematch. You can ask a lot of boxers who fought with me — they don’t come back for a rematch. They can’t, because they know what I do to them in the ring,” he said.
This statement resonated with those who followed the build-up to the bout. Before the fight, it was Osaigbovo who had declared that if Agbaje wanted a rematch after losing, he could “join the queue.” Now, it is the younger fighter who may find himself at the back of that same line, should Agbaje decline an immediate rematch.
A Path to Three Division Titles
Agbaje, now the reigning WBA Africa champion at lightweight, enters his three-division pursuit having already held the featherweight intercontinental belt. The super-featherweight title is the next logical step on his path to completing the treble.
Despite moving up two weight classes from featherweight, Agbaje showed no signs of hesitation during the build-up to the fight. His confidence remained unshaken, and the outcome of the bout proved that his risk paid off.
A Spectacle That Highlighted Nigerian Boxing’s Potential
The fight itself was more than just a championship bout; it was a spectacle that underlined the commercial potential of Nigerian professional boxing. The Brai Ayanote Boxing Hall was filled to capacity, with fans standing in the aisles throughout the 10 rounds. Osaigbovo, known for his theatrical antics, repeatedly stuck out his tongue to taunt Agbaje during exchanges, which entertained the crowd but did little to change the judges’ verdict.
Looking Ahead
As Agbaje looks to the future, his ambitions are clear. He aims to solidify his legacy as one of Nigeria’s greatest boxers by conquering three weight divisions. With his current form and determination, the path ahead seems promising.
For now, the focus remains on the lightweight division, where Agbaje will continue to defend his newly won WBA Africa title. However, the possibility of a move to super-featherweight looms large, as he prepares to take on the next challenge in his journey toward becoming a three-division champion.
