By Fayobi Adedoyin
All roads lead to the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, on Sunday, April 26, 2026, where two of Nigeria’s undefeated boxers, Tosin “Soldierboy” Osaigbovo and former World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Featherweight champion, Taiwo “Esepo” Agbaje compete for the vacant World Boxing Association lightweight title.
Dubbed the “Clash of the Unbeaten,” the bout, promoted by Ariya Network in collaboration with De Lad’s Boxing Promotion, brings together two fighters vying not just for the title but with their perfect records at stake.
The 33-year-old Agbaje, who holds a perfect record of 18 fights with 13 knockouts, is stepping up two weight classes from his natural featherweight division to the lightweight category to challenge Osaigbovo, who also remains unbeaten with 12 wins from 12 fights.
Speaking at the press conference and ceremonial face-off in Lagos, Agbaje who represented Nigeria at the Youth Olympic Games in Mozambique and the Commonwealth Games in India in 2010, before clinching gold medals at the 2011 and 2012 National Sports Festivals said he does not know what it means to lose as a professional boxer as he expressed confidence in knocking out Osaigboho in the 7th round for publicly disrespecting and calling him out.
On his part, Osaigboho confessed that having a shot at his first title excites him and serves as motivation to go up against Agbaje and clinch the vacant WBA lightweight title.
Chairman of Ariya Network, Dr. Idris Badmus, said the collaboration between his organization and De Lad’s Boxing Promotion is a deliberate step toward building a sustainable ecosystem for professional boxing across Africa. He added that the Ariya Network platform will showcase exceptional talent from the continent and open doors to global recognition.
Represented by Prince Tunji Aderibigbe, Director of Production and Acquisition, he announced that the network is committed to long-term investment in boxing and sports entertainment, while also revealing plans for a premium pay-per-view boxing tournament scheduled for August/September 2026.
Waheed Alade, Chief Executive Officer of De-Lab Boxing Promotion, described the bout as long overdue, while stressing the need for increased corporate investment in boxing. He noted that the arrival of Ariya Network within Nigeria’s boxing ecosystem is not just a development worthy of celebration, but a partnership that will uplift the sport beyond West Africa. Alade explained that improved sponsorship would lead to more professionally organised fights and greater opportunities for boxers to thrive.
The Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBB of C) and the World Boxing Association (WBA) have sanctioned the much-anticipated bout, which will headline a card featuring five additional fights.
Speaking ahead of the event, NBB of C Secretary Remi Aboderin, representing President Dr. Rafiu Oladipo, is looking forward to an evening of pure boxing bliss.
NBB of C also confirmed supporting bouts, including an eight-round light welterweight clash between Taiye “No Mercy” Fajimi and Saddam Olayipo, and a featherweight contest between Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan and Oluwatosin Adeshina. A 10-round lightweight fight between Segun Gbobaniyi and Ahmed Lawal is also scheduled.
Adding an international edge to the event, the rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana continues as Nigeria’s Afolabi “Blackgold” Shittu will square up against Ghana’s David Tego in a regional showdown.
