NBF to Honour Boxing Legend Hogan Bassey with ‘National Boxing Week’

Posted : 01 March 2026

The Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has officially announced the maiden edition of National Boxing Week in honour of the late boxing legend, Hogan Bassey.

NBF, in a statement on its behalf by Kola Daniel, Special Adviser on Media to the Director General (D-G) of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, disclosed that National Boxing Week would take place from March 1–6.

“The National Boxing Week will take place at the Brai Ayonote Boxing Complex, National Stadium, Lagos.

“This week-long celebration of Nigerian boxing will feature a series of high-profile boxing events, headlined by the National Open Trials to select boxers who will represent Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

“This is in alignment with the merit-driven approach of the NSC.

“The National Boxing Week will also serve as a platform to celebrate the life and legacy of Nigerian boxing legend Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey — a national icon of the sport who brought global recognition to Nigeria,” he said.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, President of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Adewale Edun, emphasized the importance of honoring the past while building a new future for the sport.

“Hogan Bassey remains an enduring symbol of courage, excellence, and national pride. As an icon, we'll celebrate him with respect and honour, and show the young ones what it truly means to be a hero.

“His legacy must inspire a new generation of Nigerian champions.”

“The National Open Trials will ensure a transparent, holistic, and merit-based selection process for the nation’s best boxers, both home-based and in the diaspora,” he said.

Edun then restated the Federation’s firm stance on transparency and fairness in athlete selection.

“The old tradition of selecting boxers without an open meritocracy is not what we want to do anymore, especially under the leadership of the NSC and its strong focus on merit.

“Every boxer must earn the right to wear the green and white through performance and discipline. We are calling on all Nigerian boxers, at home and in the diaspora, to seize this opportunity.

“This open trial will determine who represents Nigeria at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Selection will be fierce, fair, and based strictly on merit.”

“The trials are open to all affiliated clubs, state associations, institutions, and eligible Nigerian boxers worldwide. Each affiliated body is expected to present one boxer per weight category,” he said.

Edun added: “The competition will feature ten (10) weight categories: Men: 55kg, 65kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and Women: 51kg, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 70+kg.

“National Boxing Week will extend beyond competition. The Federation has also outlined a comprehensive developmental agenda.

“It includes a joint seminar for referees and coaches, national orientation sessions for boxers to reinforce discipline, professionalism, and athlete conduct. It will include stakeholder engagement sessions to strengthen the domestic boxing ecosystem.

“In a landmark move toward modernisation, the NBF will also unveil newly developed digital assets during Boxing Week. Over the past three months, the Federation has been working on projects to automate its licensing system.

“We are also rebranding the official website and social media platforms, developing digital infrastructure to improve governance, transparency, and athlete management,” he said.

NBF President described the digital transformation as a critical pillar of reform.

“We are repositioning Nigerian boxing for global competitiveness, not just inside the ring, but administratively and technologically. Governance must be as strong as the punches our athletes throw.

“National Boxing Week promises to be a defining moment for the sport, blending history, competition, reform, and national pride into one landmark event,” Edun concluded.

NBF to Honour Boxing Legend Hogan Bassey with ‘National Boxing Week’

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