Pakistan’s Khan, Ghana’s Laryea battle for WBO title in Lagos today

• ‘It’s not easy to promote fights in Africa’ Boxing fans in Lagos and its environs are in for a great moment this evening, as England-based Pakistani fighter, Tasif Khan and Ghana’s Gabriel Laryea battle for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) title in Surulere.

The bout, tagged King of the Ring 2, a baby of Monarch Event Promotions, will hold at the famous Eko Club in Surulere.

Speaking during the weighing ceremony in Lagos, yesterday, president of WBO in Africa, Samir Captan, a Ghanaian, said: “We must all join hands to support boxing in Africa. We don’t make money from the game in Africa. It is those in Europe that make money from it, yet they want to suppress us. I manage 44 boxers in Ghana. I am one of the fans of the late Dick Tiger of Nigeria,” the WBO Africa boss stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of Monarch Events Promotions, Prince Stanley William, stated that everybody involved in promoting boxing in Africa should be commended.

“It is not easy to put funds into boxing in this part of the World. We are trying to do something good and something good doesn’t come easy. But we will continue to do our best to make boxing lucrative,” William stated.

Today’s event will feature former WBO heavyweight champion, Herbie Hide, and Bash Ali as special guest.

The first edition of King of the Ring 1 took place on December 22, 2018 at the Landmark Event Centre, Lekki, Lagos, with three titled matches. Since then, Monarch has done various other big and small boxing events.

In other fights today, Nigeria’s super middleweight, Ezra Arenyeka, will take on Ghana s Frank Dodzi, while Victor Benneth will take on Ghana s Joseph Tetteh in the light heavyweight class.

In the super lightweight category, Kazakhstan’s Temirzhan Baimolda will