Nigeria’s boxing talent is on full display as 128 fighters, including four diaspora athletes, battle at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Surulere, in the open trials to select 10 representatives for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
The trials, featuring 101 male and 27 female boxers, began with preliminary bouts on Tuesday, continued with quarter-finals on Wednesday, and are moving into semi-finals today following medical checks and weigh-ins.
Championship bouts are scheduled for Friday, March 6, from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in a carnival-like atmosphere.
Nigerian Boxing Federation (NBF) Secretary General, Vivian Azimene, confirmed that the team size was increased after the intervention of National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade.
“Initially, we planned to send three men and three women, but now we will field five men and five women — 10 athletes in total,” she said.
Azimene emphasized that the trials ensure the strongest team possible: “This is about giving all boxers a fair chance and selecting those who can make Nigeria proud,” she added.
The competition spans 10 weight categories: five men’s (55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg) and five women’s (51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg).
Athletes like Sharafadeen Fawas expressed determination: “I want to make the cut and show Nigeria my commitment,” he said.
Nigeria has a strong Commonwealth boxing record, winning four medals at the 2022 Birmingham Games — one silver and three bronzes.
The 2026 Games, set for July 24 to August 1 at Glasgow’s SEC Centre, will feature boxing across 14 events, alongside athletics, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, netball, bowls, and basketball.
