Appah faces pressure as Muibi targets WBO Africa cruiserweight crown

Posted : 19 May 2026

The stage may be set for one of Nigerian boxing’s biggest domestic clashes after unbeaten light heavyweight champion Lekan Muibi challenged WBO Africa cruiserweight title holder Godday Appah to a showdown.

Muibi, widely known as ‘The Engine’, threw down the gauntlet shortly after Appah defeated Ezra Arenyeka to claim the WBO Africa cruiserweight belt in Lagos earlier this month.

The hard-hitting Muibi, who currently holds both the Nigerian and West African light heavyweight titles, declared that he is ready to move up in weight in pursuit of becoming a two-division African champion.

According to his media promoter, Babatunde Koiki, Muibi remains unbeaten in professional boxing with an intimidating record of 20 victories from 20 fights, including 19 knockouts.

Koiki said the boxer had officially issued the challenge after Appah’s recent triumph elevated him among the continent’s top cruiserweight fighters.

Appah captured the continental title on May 1 following a majority decision victory over fellow Nigerian Ezra ‘The King’ Arenyeka in Lagos.

The win improved Appah’s professional record to 15 victories, two defeats, and 13 knockouts.

Speaking on the proposed clash, Muibi insisted he had exhausted available opposition in the light heavyweight division and was now ready for a fresh challenge.

“I want to move up to cruiserweight because I have cleaned out my division,” Muibi said.

“All possible challengers here in Nigeria and West Africa are too scared to face me, so I’ve run out of opponents.”

The boxer maintained that the transition to cruiserweight would not be difficult because of the minimal weight difference between the divisions.

“It’s just a five-kilogram difference. It’s an easy jump to make,” he stated.

Muibi also accused Appah, popularly known as ‘Zodsolo’, of previously avoiding negotiations after initially calling him out publicly on social media.

“Earlier this year, he called me out on Instagram, saying all kinds of stuff.

“When my management tried to make the fight, he ducked and ran like a coward,” Muibi alleged.

He further claimed that Appah opted to face Arenyeka instead because it presented an easier route to winning the WBO Africa title.

Despite the criticism, Muibi congratulated the cruiserweight champion on his title victory.

“Congratulations to him on the win. But now I’m coming for him,” he declared.

“If he has the guts, he should stop running and face me in the ring.”

Muibi vowed to deliver an aggressive performance and expressed confidence that he would dethrone the reigning champion.

“I will break him down and take his title from him. God willing, I’m going to stop him and become a two-division champion,” he added.

Muibi’s trainer, Monsuru Kilani, popularly known as ‘Coach Confidence’, backed his fighter to emerge victorious if the bout is eventually arranged.

“We will beat Zod. I’m 100 per cent sure of it. Muibi is no ordinary fighter. He is strong, talented, ferocious, and relentless,” Kilani said.

“If Zod has the guts to accept the challenge, I promise he will face the biggest challenge of his career.

“We will stop him and take his belt. It’s not a promise; it’s a guarantee.”

Koiki noted that professional boxing in Lagos has continued to attract growing attention following a series of high-profile bouts in recent months.

He referenced the April 26 showdown between Taiwo ‘Eshepo’ Agbaje and Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo, where Agbaje claimed the vacant WBA Africa lightweight title after a unanimous decision victory.

According to Koiki, the increasing popularity of such contests signals a resurgence for professional boxing in Nigeria.

“All eyes are now on Appah to see if he will accept Muibi’s challenge,” he said.

The potential matchup represents a highly anticipated moment for sports enthusiasts across the nation. With both fighters boasting impressive records and significant momentum, the bout promises to elevate domestic professional boxing to new heights. The boxing community now eagerly awaits a formal response from the reigning cruiserweight champion.

Appah faces pressure as Muibi targets WBO Africa cruiserweight crown

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