*Say’s 132 countries expected in Nigeria
By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Nigerian’s World Boxing Champion (WBC) Bash Ali said corruption has stalled the first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight (GWRBCF) on the soil of Africa.
According to him the only benefits of the championship to Nigeria is the negative effect of lawsuit with ref. No.FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, in Court 4, Maitama, Abuja’, according to his letter dated 2nd April 2025.
“After the advance payment of $12m USD and the extortion of the millions of naira by the federal government of Nigeria, corruption has stalled the first Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight (GWRBCF) on the soil of Africa and the benefits to Nigeria/negative effect of lawsuit FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, Court 4, Maitama, Abuja”, he lamented.
Bash Ali, in elaborate letter signed as ‘Bash Ali. OON. World Boxing Champion, addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and made available to our Correspondent Wednesday, stated “Happy birthday in great health, long life backed with the wisdom to take Nigerians to the Promise land.
‘Corruption has killed millions of Nigerians and has left most confused and Frustrated. If someone had told me that after almost 2 years into your administration that my Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight would still be stalled, despite my several meetings and discussions with you on the subject matter, I would have punched the person in the mouth.
“All Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fights have held in the United States of America so mine would be the first outside and the most lucrative in the history of Pay Per View Television Revenue, sales of souvenirs, sponsorship, advertisement etc.
“I32 countries are coming to Nigeria to be part of Boxing History and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has written to the World Boxing Body to guarantee in Nigeria the safety of their members and that the Ministry of Youth & Sports, now the National Sports Commission (NSC) will follow up to ensure timely payment of their Approval fee which is domiciled at the Central Bank of Nigeria by the private sector.
“For almost 19 years, to make this historic event a reality in Nigeria, the FGN has, on 3 occasions, inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee with the 3 arms of government, the Senate and House of Representatives committee chairmen on sports, office of the chief of staff to Mr. President & office of the attorney general of the Federation, as members.
“The private Sector will provide the funds while the FGN will provide an enabling environment for a successful show but CORRUPTION has stalled it.
“My President Sir, It is imperative to inform you that the FGN is not putting up a Kobo but to provide an enabling environment and in the process earn the glory, honor and money from hosting this historic event.
“My President Sir, after the FGN has collected $12M USD and extorted millions of Naira from me in the disguise of putting in place the promotional structures, the FGN has stalled the process of hosting this historic fight because I say NO to further extortion.
“Sir, for almost 19 years the FGN has failed me. The FGN has extorted millions from me. The FGN has blackmailed me. The FGN has scammed me and despite several juicy offers to fight outside of Nigeria I still refused to give up on my country, Nigeria. I want to fight in my country, Nigeria so help me, please’, he expressed regret.
He continued “My President Sir, to get justice and right the wrongs of the FGN, I had to go to court and the matter is again coming up on April 7, 2025. I did not leave my comfort zone in Oakland, California, United States of America to fight the FGN in a court of law but to fight in a boxing ring to bring honor, glory and financial growth to FGN but I am in court because I have no choice”.
“Sir, the people that extorted millions of Naira from me on behalf of the FGN and those that were not successful are still in your cabinet and have sworn that this historic fight will not see the light of the day unless I co-operate with Corruption”, he stressed.
The courageous fearless crime- free society advocate also listed two things as his prayers to President Tinubu amongst other things adding: “I am respectfully asking that the court case against the FGN be settled out of court”.
“I am respectfully asking for the immediate re-inauguration of the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee and that all the unnecessary obstacles caused by CORRUPTION by the FGN should be removed so this historic fight can hold in our great country, Nigeria. Ma’Salam.
‘Respectfully submitted for your urgent attention and action. Yours Truly, Building a Better and a More Profitable Nigeria Through Sport. Bash Ali. OON. World Boxing Champion.
