Oshoba, Okocha, others to grace Zeus Sports debut

Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is set to host a major boxing event on December 7 as Zeus Sports and Entertainment makes its debut with a show featuring a World Boxing Federation World title fight as the main attraction.

The event, tagged ‘Simplified Rumble in Rivers for Champions’, will take place at the Alfred Diete Spiff Sports Complex and has garnered significant support from key stakeholders in the state.

The event will feature a total of 10 bouts, including undercard fights involving boxers from Rivers State. Several local and international celebrities, including Finidi George, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Flavour, and Burna Boy, are expected to make appearances at the event.

Emmanuel Emenogu, CEO of Zeus Sports, has been actively promoting the event across the state. During a recent courtesy call, he secured the endorsement of the Amanyanagbo of Okochiri kingdom, King Ateke Tom, a known boxing enthusiast. The first-class traditional ruler signed the promotional giant boxing glove and accepted the role of patron for the event.

“I particularly love and follow boxing. If I was still young, I’d participate in the fights because I like challenges,” King Tom declared, adding, “I accept to be your patron and henceforth, I’ll be part of what you do.”

Former Nigeria international footballer, Peterside Idah, also threw his weight behind the event. After signing the promotional glove, he said, “It’s gonna bring something new to Port Harcourt, something new to our state.

“Most times when you talk about Rivers State, all you hear is PDP, APC. You hear of wars and rumours of wars. But sports, like the international marathon we recently had, look at how it calmed down the whole society.”

The main event will feature former WBF Intercontinental featherweight champion Taiwo Agbaje fighting for the WBF featherweight World title. In a female bout, Nigeria’s Elizabeth Oshoba, former WBC Super Featherweight Silver Champion and IBO International Super Featherweight champion, will face Egypt’s Hargar Mohammed.

One of the most anticipated fights of the night will mark the return of the undefeated former world heavyweight contender, Ike “The President” Ibeabuchi. After years of incarceration in the USA, Ibeabuchi will face Sammy Abdalla of Egypt in his comeback bout.

Other major bouts include former WBO International light middleweight champion King Davidson taking on Egypt’s Ayman Mohammed, while former National and West African Light Heavyweight champion Jude “Great Jude” Iloh will battle Angola’s Lando Henriques.