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Ex-international Boxer To FG: Focus More On Youth, Sports Development

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Mazi Ikechukwu Okoronkwo,

Ex-international boxer, Mazi Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, has called on the Federal Government to demonstrate the sincere positive change being preached by APC government in youth and sports development.

Speaking to newsmen in his residence in Enugu on Monday, Mazi Okoronkwo expressed disappointment, saying “it is now clear that Nigeria has failed again to participate in another international sports event that is programmed to build the capacity of boxers throughout the world.”

The said failures he said, had pushed national boxers to the extreme which according to him may be dangerous for the nation.

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“Nigeria boxers were not seen at Toyko Olympics due to government’s inadequate action and now again Nigeria is not participating in World Boxing Championship at Belgrade due to same government’s inadequate action,” he lamented.

He therefore called on both the Federal Ministry of youth and Sports Development Abuja and National Assembly to create sincere financial independence to Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) so that NBF will know who to hold accountable for any short comings.

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“Today no Nigerian is in the list and the big question is why?,” he questioned.

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Heavyweight Champion, Oleksandr Usyk, Suspended From Boxing

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Oleksandr Usyk has been issued a brief suspension following his intense victory over Tyson Fury.

In their undisputed bout, Usyk nearly floored Fury in the ninth round, with only the ropes keeping the Brit upright. The referee intervened to count, and despite recovering to hear the final bell, Fury suffered his first career loss by split decision in Saudi Arabia.

After the fight, Usyk was taken to hospital for a check-up and was given the all-clear, even though Fury claimed he had fractured his opponent’s jaw.

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READ ALSO: UK Threatens To Deport Physically-challenged Nigerian After 38 Years

The British Boxing Board of Control suspended Usyk until June 2 due to his injuries sustained from Fury. No such suspension is noted on Fury’s record.

The suspension will not affect Usyk’s career as the Ukrainian boxer is ready for a break after a nine-month training camp. His fight with Fury was initially postponed from December to February and then to May, reports the Mirror.

“I don’t want to think about boxing now,” said Usyk, who attended the post-fight press conference with his daughter Yelizaveta’s Eeyore cuddly toy. “My camp started in September 2023 and I worked for nine months.

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READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

“I missed Happy New Year, I missed my son’s birthday, I missed my other son’s birthday, I missed my daughter’s birthday and then the birth of my daughter. I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight. Now I’m happy and I want to go back home.”

Usyk’s reign as the undisputed champion is set to be short-lived, with the IBF preparing to strip him of their title due to his contractual obligations for a rematch with Fury in October, which prevents him from facing mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

 

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EPL: Haaland Finishes Top Goal Scorer [See list]

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Erling Haaland has finished as the English Premier League (EPL) top goal scorer for a second consecutive season as Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 to win a fourth consecutive title.

The Norwegian striker was absent for two months of the season through injury and struggled to match the heights of his debut campaign at City when he struck 52 times in all competitions, including a Premier League record 36.

The 23-year-old failed to add to his 27 Premier League goals on the final day but still proved decisive in the run-in to help City secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive English top-flight crown.

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READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

Haaland scored nine times in his final seven Premier League appearances of the season to help City edge Arsenal to the title by two points.

Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who himself started the season at City, was second in the top scorer standings with 22 goals, one ahead of Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

EPL Top Goal Scorer Chart
27: Haaland (Man City)

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22: Palmer (Chelsea)

21: Isak (Newcastle)

19: Foden (Man City), Solanke (Bournemouth), Watkins (Aston Villa)

18: Salah (Liverpool)

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17: Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles
16: Bowen (West Ham), Mateta (Crystal Palace), Saka (Arsenal)

14: Jackson (Chelsea), Wood (Nottm Forest)

13: Havertz (Arsenal)

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12: Cunha (Wolves), Hwang (Wolves), Trossard (Arsenal), Wissa (Brentford)

11: Alvarez (Man City), Eze (Crystal Palace), Gordon (Newcastle), Morris (Luton), Nunez (Liverpool), Richarlison (Tottenham)

10: Adebayo (Luton), Bailey (Aston Villa), Fernandes (Man Utd), Hojlund (Man Utd), Jota (Liverpool), Olise (Crystal Palace)

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PHOTOS: Man City Fans, Players Celebrate Record Fourth EPL Title In Style

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Man City on Sunday made history after clinching their fourth consecutive English Premier League (EPL) crown.

At the blast of the final whistle, the Etihad was occupied with fans and players in jubilant mood as the lush green pitch turned white and blue.

READ ALSO: Guardiola Makes Decision On Man City Future After ‘Insane’ Six EPL Titles

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