Rising lightweight star Saddam “Baby Boxer” Oladipupo has issued a fiery warning to opponent Imole “System” Oloyede, declaring that he will not last beyond the second round of their national title bout on December 26 at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
Speaking ahead of GOtv Boxing Night 34, Saddam said he is coming in “sharper and meaner,” promising fans “a brutal lesson in disciplined boxing.”
Oloyede fired back with a colourful comparison, saying, “I remember how Saddam Hussein was hiding when the US dealt with him. My opponent will be hiding in dark corners of Tafawa Balewa Square, like his namesake did, when I finish with him.”
He boasted that he is a far superior boxer to anyone Saddam has ever faced.
Their showdown is tipped to be one of the standout bouts on a richly packed card that blends boxing, music and comedy into a festive spectacle.
Top among the supporting fights is the national super bantamweight title bout between the skilful and flamboyant Sodiq “Happy Boy” Adeleke and the compact, rugged, hard-hitting champion, Durotimi “Tiny” Agboola.
Fans will also witness an international lightweight encounter pitting Nigeria’s Rasheed “ID Buster” Idowu against Ghana’s Nii Offei Dodoo, adding a West African rivalry to the night.
Another crowd-puller is the national lightweight challenge between Segun “Odi” Gbobaniyi and Tobiloba “Smiling Assassin” Ijomoni, a bout that analysts predict will be a tactical chess match with no shortage of danger.
The national light welterweight division also delivers a thriller, as Sodiq “Smart Lion” Suleimon squares up against Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola over eight explosive rounds. Both fighters favour high-pressure, all-action styles, making this a strong contender for the night’s most relentless contest.
Rounding off the undercard is the national bantamweight challenge featuring Ezekiel “Touch” Seun against Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan, a matchup almost guaranteed to deliver eight rounds of blistering exchanges.
GOtv Boxing Night 34, organised by Flykite Productions, is supported by MultiChoice, Zetaweb, Lagos State Sports Commission and TheCable.
