WBC title holder and 2022 Commonwealth medallist Elizabeth Oshoba talks about winning a world title, beating the odds to win a medal in Birmingham, her boxing journey and more in this interview with PETER AKINBO

How did you start boxing?

It was actually my brother who introduced me to it; he came to me when I was 12 and said he wanted me to start boxing, he said, ‘I saw one video of a girl boxing and she is just like you, you guys look alike so I would like you to try boxing too’ but I told him I don’t want to box. So, actually, I do sports, I like sports, then I played football, I played table tennis then too, all these street sports, but I said I couldn’t do boxing, I didn’t want them to spoil my fine face, I can’t do it. My parents like sports as well, so they encouraged me, and one particular day, my Dad lied to me that we should go out to get fuel and he drove me to coach Smart of Smart Boxing, and when we got there was when I realised it was a boxing gym. The coach was now encouraging me too, and I saw a lot of ladies like me boxing so I now decided I could do this if these ones were doing it because I had the mind that if they saw me outside, they could just beat me and go, and I can’t let that happen and that is when I started.

When you first started boxing, did guys in the neighbourhood try to fight you?

Actually, when I started boxing, I was going to a public school so some of my schoolmates stayed in the area of the boxing gym, and when they saw me there, the next day they came to school and told everyone I was fighting boxing, and the guys then in the school did not want to accept that a lady could be doing this so they started bullying me, and it got to the point that I had to fight back, although it is not professional and we shouldn’t fight back, I had to just fight back but then I fought with a guy in my class and he started bleeding and that was when they all knew that I was a good boxer and they started leaving me alone.

Since you started your career till now, what will you define as the highlight of your career?

When I won the WBC world title and when I went for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, I couldn’t believe it, God did it so those are the best ones so far from me. I couldn’t believe I could make it to the Games and even win a silver medal, it was a very tough journey for me before I got to the Games dealing with a COVID-19 positive test before it later showed negative after three tests and I made the trip.

How did you and the family feel when you won the silver medal?

I was the happiest person in the world when I won the silver medal. I thanked God a lot because after all that I went through, I did not expect this at all, I was even happier than the person who won gold, I was so glad, that was my happiest moment. Initially, while I was training, I believed I would win the gold medal but after what happened, being weak, losing weight, and not training enough gave me second thoughts so I really value the silver medal. My family were watching the fight live with me and after I got my medal, they were so excited and happy for me.

Where is your medal now?

It is with me in the UK, I carry it everywhere I go, I don’t leave it in Nigeria, and the National honours I got from President Muhammadu Buhari after coming back from the Games. That is what I worked for so I cannot just treat it anyhow, I need to take care of it very well.

You are fighting now in the United Kingdom professionally in the super-featherweight, how is it going?

It is going very well, and very soon, I will fight for more titles. I have won all of my fights now, seven fights in the UK and two in Nigeria.

How did you feel when you won the WBC silver title?

I was on top of the world. I am very happy with this title, it is my first (world) title but I am still focused and I can’t wait to fight more world title fights, win more and claim the main WBC belt. The IBO belt too is very important to me and I am happy to have achieved this success. It wasn’t easy though, but I am fully prepared for any kind of opponent. I knew I was going to be announced the winner once the fights ended.

Do you think your training in Nigeria prepared you for your fights abroad?

I had tough training, sparred with male boxers and had to improvise a lot back home in Nigeria. I had to motivate myself a lot. So, I think that prepared me for the opportunities I am seeing now, all those challenges made me stronger. Whenever I remember those moments, it really motivates me to give more than 100 per cent.

What will you call the lowest point of your career?

That was when I lost in the semi-final at the All African Games in 2019 in Morocco; that was my first time representing Nigeria and I won the bronze medal then.

Any advice for young female boxers in Nigeria?

I would like to tell them not to give up on whatever they are doing. No matter how difficult it is, no matter the struggle, hard work is going to pay off, they should not give up and keep working towards their goals.