Sports
GOtv Boxing Night @10: Reliving The Top 10 Fights
The 32nd edition of Africa’s premier boxing event, GOtv Boxing Night, is scheduled for December 26 at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos. Since its debut in 2014, GOtv Boxing Night has become a prime platform for Nigerian and African boxers to make a name for themselves. Organised by Flykite Productions, the event has wowed boxing fans across Africa with unforgettable national and international title bouts across weight categories. In no particular order, here is a list of the most cracking fights at the event:
1. Waidi ‘Skoro’ Usman vs. Edward ‘Shaka’ Kakembo: The headline bout of the 5th edition, held in December 2015, saw Skoro, a big favourite of the Lagos boxing public, attempt to win the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) featherweight title against his Ugandan opponent. But Kakembo, who appeared on the ring wearing big and long chains around his neck, had too much in the tank for Skoro. His speed of thought and hands were too much for Skoro, and in no time, the crowd cheered him loudly. He won by a split decision.
2. Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph vs. Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai: Both were at their peak in 2016 when the bout was held. It was a grudge match, with Nurudeen seeking to avenge his previous defeat in a non-title bout. The chance to exact revenge was twice delayed because Nurudeen, the reigning national champion at the time, was injured.
The chance came on 1 May 2016 and headlined GOtv Boxing Night 7. Nurudeen’s title was on the line. The volume-punching Joe Boy met a tough Nurudeen in what has to be one of the most bruising bouts ever at GOtv Boxing Night. Joe Boy won by unanimous decision after 12 gruelling rounds, winning the N1 million cash prize attached to the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer.
3. Taiwo “Gentle Boy” Olowu vs. Alidu Sulemana: The West African Boxing Union (WABU) title fight, which took place at GOtv Boxing Night 30, had everything: action, drama, controversy and sub-regional rivalry. The last attribute was on account of the Ghana-Nigeria rivalry which, by default, is as fierce as anything. Sulemana, a Ghanaian, battled Olowu with guile and determination for the WABU Super Welterweight title in a very close contest. Olowu ultimately won via a split decision, though some fans felt the Ghanaian fighter deserved the victory.
4. Rilwan Babatunde vs. Edem “Lion Heart” Biki: A very spicy bout despite it being a non-title contest. There was so much aggression and determination on display. Biki was knocked down in the third round and was thought incapable of offering resistance. But he rebounded to do what he was deemed incapable of, delivering a fierce resistance and giving Babatunde a cut above his right eye. Babatunde was not slowed down by the injury, as he returned after being treated to deliver a mean combination, with the last punch an uppercut, to knock Biki unconscious. The medical team’s quick response prevented any serious consequences, and Biki was rushed to a nearby hospital.
5. Bolatito “Black Tito” Oluwole vs. Celina “Pretty Assassin” Agu: Arranging fights for female boxers can be challenging, but GOtv Boxing Night finally brought these two undefeated fighters together for a national cruiserweight title clash at its 28th edition. Despite suffering a right-hand injury in the fourth round, Black Tito pushed through all eight rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory over Pretty Assassin. Her performance earned her the Best Boxer award, making her the first female to win the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy, breaking a nine-year streak of male recipients.
6. Taiwo “Esepor” Agbaje Vs Richard Taruc Pumicpic: The headliner at GOtv Boxing Night 27, held in December 2022. Then the reigning West African Boxing Union featherweight champion, Esepor finally had the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming a world champion. In his path was a Philipino determined to end his unbeaten run. Deep into the seventh round of the explosive encounter, Esepor earned a technical knockout victory, sending the Lagos fans into wild jubilation. His fine display earned him his fourth Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer, along with the cash prize of N1.5m.
7. Stanley “Edo Boy” Eribo Vs Sunday “Capo” Olalekan: A masterclass in controlled demolition. This has remained a classic. It was at GOtv Boxing Night V and the first time the cash prize of N 1.5m was attached to the Mojisole Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy. Eribo and Olalekan clashed in a high-stakes battle for the national light welterweight title, with both fighters determined to emerge victorious. Eribo was methodical and was like a coiled spring, leaping to action only when required. Capo, on the other hand, was an all-out attack machine. Eribo’s control made it easy for him to pick his opponent off. Capo huffed and puffed, but his punches were largely harmless, unlike Eribo’s which did plenty of damage and delivered the title. Eribo also won the N1.5m cash prize for the best boxer..
8. Fijabi “Fijaborn” Fijabi Vs Sadiq “Police Machine ” Ahmed: This had a David-Goliath vibe. Fijaborn, who turned professional a year earlier, was pitched against the reigning national welterweight champion, Police Machine. Though short on experience, Fijaborn had the ability and, importantly, the stamina to execute the assignment. He dismissively defeated Police Machine, knocking him out in the fifth round and leaving him so punch-drunk that he staggered like a drunk walking a straight line. The cheers were deafening as he announced himself as a big-timer.
9 Taiwo “Gentle Boy” Olowu vs. Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi: A grudge match with the added spice of a national welterweight title fight. Both had clashed in a non-title bout that ended in a draw. Gentle Boy felt he won. I-Star was seen celebrating after the result was announced, which further infuriated Gentle Boy. As the national welterweight champion, Olowu decided to put his belt on the line for a rematch at GOtv Boxing Night 27. Before the fight, I-Star boasted that he would end Gentle Boy’s reign with a knockout. The fight lived up to its billing as both boxers traded force punches. In the eighth round, I-Star’s stamina began to wane. Olowu pounced with a power left hook to the jaw, sending I-Star sprawling like a battlefield casualty. That was the boast buster and the end of the contest won by knockout
10. Raphael ‘Iron King’ Kwabena Vs Olaide ‘Fijaborn’ Fijabi: This Nigeria vs. Ghana showdown was a fierce battle of two undefeated champions. Fijabi, the reigning national champion, sought to bolster his international reputation, while Kwabena had won eight of his nine fights by knockout. With N1.5 million at stake for the best boxer of the 9th GOtv Boxing Night, anticipation was high. Both fighters were evenly matched, and the bout went the distance. Fijabi narrowly claimed victory through a split decision, ending Iron King’s unbeaten streak. Furious at the loss, Kwabena demanded an immediate rematch, which Fijabi accepted. However, the scheduled rematch for the 10th edition was postponed due to an injury Fijabi sustained.
With 31 successful editions, GOtv Boxing Night has delivered thrilling local and international contests over the past decade, turning local boxers into millionaires and providing a platform for amateur boxers to turn professional. It has been a transformative ten years for GOtv in the Nigerian and African boxing scene, creating memorable moments that will endure for both fans and fighters for years to come.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The deal between Arsenal Football Club and Emirates has been renewed, making it one of the longest-running and most recognisable partnerships in world sport.
Both parties first came together as partners in 2006 and have since built one of football’s defining partnerships. Spanning the entire Emirates Stadium era, the relationship has evolved alongside the club – supporting Arsenal’s ambitions, strengthening both organisations’ global reach and creating new ways for supporters around the world to connect with Arsenal.
The latest deal will see Emirates continue as the Champions’ front-of-shirt, training kit and stadium naming rights partner through to 2033.
The renewal comes at a pivotal moment in the club’s history following its recent Premier League title. The new agreement will build on many of the flagship initiatives that have defined the partnership, including the Emirates Cup, which brings world-class football to Emirates Stadium each summer, and Global Gooners, which gives supporters from around the world the opportunity to experience Arsenal in North London for the first time.
The next chapter of the partnership will begin this weekend as Arsenal welcome Borussia Dortmund to North London for the Emirates Cup, with a programme of anniversary activity celebrating more than two decades of shared history while looking ahead to the next chapter still to be written. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, will attend alongside Arsenal senior leadership as part of the celebrations.
Launching alongside the partnership renewal is a new cinematic film featuring Arsenal legend Per Mertesacker. Set inside an antique shop filled with objects from across the Emirates era, the film celebrates two decades of shared memories between Arsenal, Emirates and our supporters, reflecting on the history we’ve made together and the moments still to come.
“Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club’s history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal. Emirates has been an integral part of this success – standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades,” the chief executive of Arsenal, Mr Richard Garlick, stated.
On his part, the President of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark, said, “Over the last two decades, Emirates and Arsenal have built something that goes far beyond a traditional partnership, and one we are immensely proud of. We have grown alongside the club through changes of era and ambition, united by a shared goal of bringing people closer to what they love.
“In practice, that has meant reaching the millions who follow Arsenal across the Emirates network and beyond and creating experiences for them that neither of us could have done alone.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will look to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they face Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday at 9:00 pm at the ongoing WAFCON 2026 in Morocco.
The defending champions bounced back from their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Malawi with a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia and will now be aiming to finish the group stage strongly. All the matches of the tournament air live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.
The final matchday of Group A saw hosts Morocco play out a goalless draw with Senegal, a result that was enough to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals in first position in their group. Algeria also secured their place in the knockout stages after a 2-0 victory over Kenya, bringing their group-stage campaign to a strong close.
Tuesday, Group B will conclude with Burkina Faso facing South Africa before Tanzania takes on Ivory Coast. South Africa and Ivory Coast played out a 2-2 draw in their previous match, while Burkina Faso bounced back from their opening defeat with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania. With the group still to be decided, the final results will determine which teams join the quarter-final line-up.
All eyes will then turn to Group C on Wednesday, where Egypt will face Nigeria, and Malawi will take on Zambia, with both matches kicking off at 9:00 pm. The Super Falcons will be hoping to build on their victory over Zambia and secure the result they need to advance to the knockout stages, while Egypt will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in their previous game.
Nigeria’s final group match comes after a difficult start to their title defence. The Super Falcons were stunned 3-2 by Malawi in their opening game but responded with a 1-0 victory over Zambia to revive their campaign. The ten-time champions will now need to complete the job against Egypt as they look to keep their hopes of retaining the continental crown alive.
The final group-stage fixtures on Thursday will see Ghana take on Mali, and Cape Verde face Cameroon on Thursday, with both matches also scheduled for 9:00 pm. Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their previous outing, while Mali secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. The final results will determine which teams progress to the knockout stages from Group D.
Matchday 3 Fixtures
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso vs South Africa – 9:00 pm
Tanzania vs Ivory Coast – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt vs Nigeria – 9:00 pm
Malawi vs Zambia – 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 6
Cape Verde vs Cameroon – 9:00 pm
Mali vs Ghana – 9:00 pm
SuperSport Brings All the Live Action
Catch every match of WAFCON Morocco 2026 live on SS Football (Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS Football Plus (DStv Ch. 202) on DStv and GOtv. Fans can also stream every match live on DStv Stream from ₦6,000, with no decoder or dish required.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
At least for the next four seasons, DStv and GOtv subscribers are guaranteed access to all UEFA men’s club matches on SuperSport.
This is because CANAL+, the parent company of MultiChoice, which owns DStv and GOtv, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to all UEFA men’s club competitions across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2031, ensuring SuperSport will continue to broadcast the UEFA Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues live to DStv and GOtv subscribers.
The four-season agreement, which begins with the 2027/28 campaign, covers more than 40 countries across the region and includes exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, SuperSport will continue as the exclusive broadcaster of UEFA club competitions, bringing the continent’s biggest European club matches to DStv and GOtv subscribers. The agreement also restores full UEFA Champions League coverage on CANAL+ Sport channels in French-speaking Africa, alongside the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The rights deal further strengthens CANAL+’s sports portfolio, which already includes major football competitions such as the Premier League, LALIGA EA SPORTS, Ligue 1, the Betway Premiership and the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The agreement ensures football fans across Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to enjoy live coverage of Europe’s premier club competitions on SuperSport when the new rights cycle begins in 2027.
“We are very proud of this new partnership, which gives us exclusive rights to all UEFA Men’s Club competitions across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“For four seasons, until 2031, our subscribers will enjoy the thrill of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League’s biggest matches. Today, CANAL+ offers the most attractive sports line-up across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the acquisition of these rights is a perfect illustration of that.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to UC3 and to the teams at Relevent for once again placing their trust in CANAL+, following our recent agreements in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Austria,” the chief executive of CANAL+, Mr Maxime Saada, stated.
