Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje has officially etched his name into the history books of continental boxing after securing the WBA Africa lightweight title in a grueling battle at the Indoor Sports Hall in Surulere, Lagos. In a match that lived up to the immense hype, Agbaje earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over his rival, Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo, keeping his perfect professional record intact at 19-0.
The atmosphere inside the arena was nothing short of electric, with every seat taken and fans lining the aisles to catch a glimpse of the action. Much of the pre-fight talk centered on Agbaje’s bold prediction that he would end the contest with a knockout in the seventh round. Confident in his power, the fighter had even gone as far as wagering N2 million of his own purse on that specific outcome, a move many likened to the legendary antics of Muhammad Ali.
However, Osaigbovo proved to be a far more resilient opponent than anticipated. While Agbaje controlled the tempo and landed the cleaner shots, ‘Sojar Boy’ refused to go down, even adding a touch of theater to the fight by sticking out his tongue during heavy exchanges to taunt his opponent. Because the fight went the full ten-round distance, Agbaje ultimately forfeited his N2 million bet, though the sting of the financial loss was surely softened by the championship belt now around his waist.
Information gathered by Reports indicates that the event was a major success for De Lad’s Boxing Promotion and the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC). Promoter Wahid Alabi noted that the massive turnout proved that fans had been hungry to see these two unbeaten warriors face off. The NBBofC Secretary-General, Remi Aboderin, also praised the evening as a premier showcase of professional boxing, highlighting the clean, high-level contest as a standard for the sport in Nigeria.
The WBA Africa title serves as a critical stepping stone, providing regional champions with a clearer pathway toward global rankings and world title opportunities. With this victory, Agbaje solidifies his position as a major contender in the lightweight division. While the knockout he promised didn’t materialize, the sheer skill and endurance displayed by both men left the Lagos crowd with an unforgettable night of sporting drama.
