In a historic feat, Elizabeth Oshoba has become the first Nigerian female boxer to win a world title in the sport. Oshoba defeated the reigning champion, Maria Lopez of Mexico, by unanimous decision in a 10-round bout that took place in Lagos, Nigeria on Saturday.
Oshoba, who is 26 years old, started boxing at the age of 15 and turned professional in 2018. She has a record of 15 wins and no losses, with 10 knockouts. She is also the current African and Commonwealth champion in the featherweight division.
Oshoba said she was inspired by her father, who was also a boxer and encouraged her to pursue her passion. She said she faced many challenges and discrimination as a female boxer in Nigeria, but she never gave up on her dream.
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“I am very happy and proud to make history for my country and for Africa. This is a dream come true for me. I have worked hard for this moment, and I thank God for His grace and favor. I also thank my father, my coach, my team, my fans and everyone who supported me along the way,” Oshoba said after the fight.
Oshoba’s victory has been celebrated by many Nigerians and Africans, who hailed her as a role model and a trailblazer for women in sports. She has also received congratulatory messages from prominent figures.
Oshoba said she hopes to inspire more girls and women to take up boxing and other sports, and to break the stereotypes and barriers that limit them. She said she plans to defend her title and unify the belts in her weight class.
“I want to be the best female boxer in the world, and I believe I can do it. I want to show the world that Nigerian women are strong and capable of achieving anything they set their minds to. I want to encourage more girls and women to follow their dreams and not let anyone stop them,” Oshoba said.
Nigeria’s performance at AFCON 2023 so far
The present Super Eagles are not strong in two major areas of the field – the midfield and goalkeeping,” the former Nigeria captain and 1980 Afcon winner Segun Odegbami said. “There is little that can be done about the team’s strength without the influence of a few players with exceptional skills and abilities in certain areas. There is a dearth of creative and attacking midfield players, who can hold and distribute the ball well.
While the lack of a creative midfield – and the critical service it provides – has been a consistent frustration for the team’s star striker and reigning African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen, it was his profligacy in front of goal on Saturday that played a huge role in Nigeria’s inability to secure a needed win. “We played well [against Equatorial Guinea] but I don’t know why we did not score,” Peseiro said. “We had six, seven, eight chances during the game. Scoring has been a problem, and we have to improve on this.”
The Super Eagles, and Osimhen in particular, will have to find the tactical elixir to end their goal drought on Thursday in their must-win game against the hosts, who will be backed by a full house at Ebimpé. For Peseiro, divine intervention would not go amiss. “Sometimes God gives, sometime God takes,” he said. “Let’s hope God gives to Nigeria for the next match.” The Super Eagles of Nigeria will play the Ivorian side in their group’s game.
Oshoba is not the only Nigerian boxer who has made a name for himself or herself in the sport. Some of the most famous Nigerian boxers include Dick Tiger, Hogan Bassey, Samuel Peter, Bash Ali, Anthony Joshua, Helen Joseph and Efe Ajagba.