Sports
GOtv: A Brand Offering the Springboard for Local Boxing Talents
A new Nigerian boxing sensation emerged on May 1 at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, when 16-year-old Raheem “Badoo” Animashaun emerged best boxer at the 31st edition of GOtv Boxing Night.
‘Badoo’ defeated his more experienced opponent, Samuel “Apata Roro” Moses in the fourth round of their national light welterweight challenge bout to take home the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy and the cash prize of N1 million attached.
He became the third rookie boxer to win the prize, after two other Nigerian boxers, Opeyemi ‘Sense’ Adeyemi, and Rilwan ‘Babyface’ Babatunde, won the award at GOtv Night 18, and 21 respectively. These boxers have since risen to stardom on the GOtv Boxing Night platform and elsewhere, with their path to stardom an attestation to GOtv’s investment and commitment to boxing growth in Nigeria.
For ‘Badoo’, Boxing runs in the genes. When GOtv Boxing Night birthed in 2014, his father, Jamiu “Rotor” Animashaun, was one of the professional boxers who graced the rings. ‘Rotor’ was on the bill at the second edition of GOtv Boxing Night held in 2015. On the other hand, “Babyface”, who rose to become the national, sub-regional and African Boxing Union welterweight champion, is a product of GOtv NextGen search, an initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing young amateur boxing talents. “Sense”, who currently plies his trade in the United States of America, is also a product of GOtv Boxing Night and was chosen at as the standout rookie at the fourth edition of the initiative in Abeokuta in 2018.
While the GOtv brand continued to invest in talent development, GOtv Boxing Night, organised by Flykite Productions, has established a strong platform for Nigerian boxers to vie for world and regional titles. Taiwo “Esepor’ Agbaje is currently the biggest name on GOtv Boxing Night circuit, after he made the event his springboard to national and international recognition.
The boxer, who has won the GOtv Boxing Night best boxer award more than any other, fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion in December 22, when he defeated his Filipino opponent, Richard Taruc Pumicpic, to win the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental featherweight title at GOtv Boxing Night 27.
Prior to Esepor’s feat, another Nigerian, Onoriode “Godzilla” Ehwariemi, won the World Boxing Federation intercontinental heavyweight title by defeating Ariel “Chiquito” Baracamonte of Argentina, at GOtv Boxing Night 20. This was followed by a double world title win for Nigerian boxers at the 22nd edition, where Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu and “Babyface” won the WBF world super featherweight and welterweight titles respectively.
Likewise, GOtv Boxing Night has produced memorable career moments for Nigerian boxers on the regional front. At the last edition of the boxing fest, two Nigerians, Segun “War” Adeyemi, and Adeyemi “Spirit” Adekanla, battled each other for the West African Boxing Union (WABU) light welterweight title, with “War” emerging victorious. He thus joined the likes of “Real One”, Taiwo “Gentle Boy’ Olowu, Olaide” Fijaborn” Fijabi, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, and “Babyface”, on the list of Regional title winners on the GOtv Boxing Night stage.
The GOtv Boxing Night platform has also provided huge international exposure to boxing talents. In 2017, Abolaji “Afonja Warrior” Rasheed, boxed for the then-vacant super welterweight Commonwealth title, in Sheffield England. In 2018, Waidi “Skoro” Usman, battled Azinga “Golden Boy” Fuzile in South Africa, for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) Continental Africa super featherweight title. Similarly, “Baby Face” of the GOtv NextGen fame, vied for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Oriental middleweight title against Ukrainian Dymtro Mytrovanov in Kiev. For the three boxers, it was their first professional match outside the country’s shores.
With GOtv Nigeria, and Flykite Productions, boxers on the local scene can continue to cling to the hope of actualising their career dreams, under the lights, or the night skies, when GOtv Boxing Night returns for the next edition.
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By Dipo Olowookere
Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.
He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.
European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.
Champions League: Heavyweights Collide
At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.
Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.
At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.
Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.
Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes
While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.
Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.
For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs
UEFA Champions League
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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
UEFA Europa League
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Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
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FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
UEFA Conference League
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Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)
Follow the Action
Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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