Abia State took a historic leap into professional boxing on Tuesday night as Aba hosted its first-ever sanctioned pro bout, a landmark event staged in honour of late Nigerian boxing great and Olympian, Obisie Nwankpa.
The maiden championship, held at the Aba Sports Club 1926, marked a major milestone in the state’s sports revival drive under Governor Alex Chioma Otti and signalled Abia’s renewed ambition to reclaim its status as a powerhouse of Nigerian boxing.
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Organised for the South East region under the supervision of the Nigerian Boxing Board of Control (NBBC), led by its president, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, the event brought together elite fighters, boxing administrators and government officials in a night many described as symbolic and transformative.
Home favourites Chinaza Ikechukwu Okoronkwo and Zoe Chibuike Okoronkwo rose to the occasion, delighting the Aba crowd as they successfully defended their lightweight and featherweight titles. Chinaza secured victory via unanimous decision, while Zoe sealed his bout with a technical knockout. Fellow Abia fighters Isreal Obinna Ogbodo and Chukwu Elijah Chinonso also impressed, recording first and second-round TKO victories respectively.
Speaking ahead of the main bout, the Honourable Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, described the event as historic, noting that it was staged on a newly acquired professional boxing ring procured by Governor Otti. He said hosting the championship shortly after the state burial of Obisie Nwankpa was both symbolic and intentional.
“This is about honouring a legend while deliberately creating pathways for the next generation of champions,” Ananaba said, adding that the government is committed to grassroots and elite sports development.
One of the evening’s major highlights was the official handover of the professional boxing ring by Mr Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, CEO of Ikeuj Boxing Promotion, on behalf of the Abia State Government. He commended Governor Otti for investing in infrastructure that supports both talent discovery and professional competition.
In a further boost to development efforts, boxing brothers Chinaza and Zoe Okoronkwo donated gloves, punching bags, skipping ropes and other training equipment to the Abia State Sports Council. Receiving the items, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Chief Cyril Nwaigwe, assured that the equipment would be effectively deployed to nurture young talents across the state.
Also addressing the gathering, the Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, Mrs Ure Abazie, encouraged youths in attendance to embrace education and discipline while shunning social vices.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Mr Raymond Ukwa, State Director of Sports, Comrade George Obioma, and other dignitaries were on ground to witness what many observers hailed as a defining night for boxing in Abia State — one that blends legacy, opportunity and renewed ambition.
