Team Nigeria’s boxing campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games began on a disappointing note on Friday evening after Abdulramon Abdulwahab suffered a unanimous points defeat to Uganda’s Nuhu Batte in the Men’s 65kg Round of 32 at the SEC Hall 5.
Abdulwahab found the experienced Ugandan difficult to break down throughout the three-round contest as Batte controlled the exchanges with cleaner combinations and superior ring management. At the end of the bout, all five judges scored in favour of the Ugandan, handing Batte a convincing 5-0 unanimous decision victory and ending the Nigerian’s campaign at the first hurdle.
The defeat is an early setback for Team Nigeria’s boxing squad, which arrived in Glasgow hoping to add to the country’s proud Commonwealth boxing tradition. While Abdulwahab exits the competition, there is still optimism within the Nigerian camp, with several other boxers yet to begin their campaigns in the coming days.
Sports247, reporting from Glasgow, observed that Abdulwahab battled courageously and continued to press forward despite falling behind on the judges’ scorecards. The Nigerian showed determination until the final bell but was unable to overturn Batte’s advantage against the technically disciplined Ugandan.
The loss, however, does little to dampen what has otherwise been a memorable opening day for Team Nigeria. Earlier on Friday, Nigeria dominated the para powerlifting competition, producing two gold medals, three silver medals, a Commonwealth Games record and two world records, firmly establishing itself among the early pace-setters at Glasgow 2026.
Attention will now shift to Nigeria’s remaining boxers, who will be looking to bounce back and keep the nation’s medal hopes alive inside the ring as the tournament progresses.
Men’s 65kg – Round of 32
Nuhu Batte (Uganda) def. Abdulramon Abdulwahab (Nigeria) — 5-0 (Unanimous Decision)
Team Nigeria medal table – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games
Medal Total
🥇 Gold 2
🥈 Silver 3
🥉 Bronze 0
Total 5
Nigeria’s medal winners
🥇 Folashade Oluwafemiayo – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record – 134.8kg)
🥈 Rita Ferdinand – Women’s Heavyweight Para Powerlifting (World Record – 128.2kg)
🥇 Esther Nworgu – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (Games Record – 119.0kg)
🥈 Esther Oyema – Women’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (115.5kg)
🥈 Roland Ezuruike – Men’s Lightweight Para Powerlifting (153.9kg)
Sports247 Medal Watch
🥇 Gold: 2
🥈 Silver: 3
🥉 Bronze: 0
Overall: 5 medals
Sports247 will continue to provide live updates, breaking news and exclusive reports from Glasgow as Team Nigeria looks to bounce back in boxing while continuing its impressive medal charge at the Commonwealth Games.
