Nigeria's Wahab battles Tanzanian for WBO Africa title

Undefeated Nigeria’s Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab is set to add a chapter to the history of Nigerian professional boxing as he faces unbeaten Muksini Swalehe of Tanzania, for a vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa super featherweight belt.

The title fight which is billed to take place on Sunday, July 25 at the Nu Rock Event Centre and Hotel, Egbeda, Lagos, is jointly promoted by Saleh Gloves Promotions and Streetwise Management.

According to the secretary-general, Nigerian Boxing Board of Control, Remi Aboderin, the title fight is sanctioned by the NBB of C, with supporting bouts also on the card.

Saleh Gloves Promotions’ CEO Saleh Fawaz and Streetwise CEO Michael Amoo Bediako have been in contact for over a year and shared the same ambitions to raise the profile of boxing in Africa as this title fight gives them an opportunity to pass that message across.

Wahab, (13-0) is being promoted by Di Bella Entertainment, who is also involved in this project and has a long history of promoting African fighters, including Joshua Clotty, Emmanuel Tagoe and former IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey, among others.

“Africa has produced many great talents that have transcended internationally and the slick but heavy-handed Joshua Wahab has the potential to become one of them. Vying for the WBO Africa title against a tough, unbeaten foe is an important step in that direction.“With DiBella Entertainments’ guidance, Michael Amoo Bediako’s knowledge of the African boxing scene, and the collaboration with Saleh Fawaz, Wahab’s future is very bright,” said Lou DiBella, President of DiBella.

In his remarks, Streetwise boss, Amoo Bediako said: “It was unfortunate that we had to move the bout out of Ghana, but because there had been no  communication from the GBA, as to when there would be a resolution to their dispute with BoxRec, we had no choice but to move the bout to Nigeria.”

Saleh Golves boss, Fawaz, in his remarks said, “We are looking forward to the homecoming fight for Joshua Wahab, as he takes on another undefeated boxer in Muksini Swalehe, of Tanzania, for the WBO Africa super featherweight title, in what will be our first co-promotion with Streetwise Management, in collaboration with DiBella Entertainment.

“We will continue to work hard in raising the profile of boxing in Africa and this fight, along with a very interesting undercard, sets the tone moving forward.”