Sports
NIGERIAN boxing could witness another blockbuster showdown as light heavyweight champion Lekan Muibi challenged WBO Africa cruiserweight champion Godday Appah for his title.
Muibi, popularly called ‘The Engine’, currently holds the Nigerian and West African light heavyweight belts and remains unbeaten in professional boxing.
According to his media promoter, Babatunde Koiki, the boxer formally issued the challenge after Appah captured the WBO Africa cruiserweight crown in Lagos.
Koiki disclosed that Muibi possesses a formidable professional record of 20 fights, 20 victories and 19 knockouts, underlining his destructive reputation.
He said Muibi was prepared to move into the cruiserweight division in pursuit of becoming a two-division African boxing champion.
Appah secured the WBO Africa cruiserweight title on May 1 after defeating Nigerian Ezra ‘The King’ Arenyeka through a majority decision in Lagos.
The victory improved Appah’s professional record to 15 wins, two defeats and 13 knockouts, strengthening his status among Africa’s leading cruiserweights.
Muibi claimed Appah had previously challenged him publicly before allegedly avoiding negotiations when efforts were made to arrange the fight.
“I want to move up to cruiserweight because I have cleaned out my division.
“All possible challengers here in Nigeria and West Africa are too scared to face me, so I’ve run out of opponents,” he added.
Muibi insisted the transition to cruiserweight would not pose significant difficulty because of the small weight difference between both divisions.
“It’s just a five-kilogram difference. It’s an easy jump to make,” the unbeaten fighter stated.
“As a matter of fact, I specifically want to face Godday Appah, also known as Zodsolo,” he added.
Muibi recalled that Appah had previously called him out on social media earlier this year before allegedly withdrawing from discussions over a possible encounter.
“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,” he alleged.
Muibi further claimed Appah opted for an easier route by choosing to fight Arenyeka instead of facing him inside the ring.
“He took the easier option of fighting Ezra Arenyeka for the WBO Africa cruiserweight belt,” he said.
In spite of the criticism, Muibi congratulated Appah for defeating Arenyeka and winning the prestigious continental title in Lagos.
“Congratulations to him on the win. But now I’m coming for him,” Muibi declared confidently.
“If he has the guts, he should stop running and face me in the ring,” he challenged.
Muibi promised an aggressive performance and vowed to dethrone Appah to secure championship success in a second weight division.
“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,” Muibi said.
Muibi’s trainer, Monsuru Kilani, popularly known as ‘Coach Confidence’, expressed absolute confidence in his boxer’s chances against the reigning cruiserweight champion.
“We will beat Zod. I’m 100 per cent sure of it. Muibi is no ordinary fighter. He is strong, talented, ferocious and relentless,” the trainer said.
Kilani warned that accepting the challenge could become the toughest assignment of Appah’s professional boxing career.
“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,” Kilani declared.
Koiki also highlighted the growing popularity of professional boxing in Lagos following recent high-profile bouts attracting large crowds and widespread public attention.
He referenced the widely publicised clash between Taiwo ‘Eshepo’ Agbaje and Tosin ‘Sojar Boy’ Osaigbovo held on April 26 in Lagos.
Agbaje emerged victorious after 10 rounds, claiming the vacant WBA Africa lightweight title through a unanimous decision.
Koiki described the contest as another sign of boxing’s resurgence within Lagos and the wider Nigerian sporting landscape.
“All eyes are now on Appah to see if he will accept Muibi’s challenge,” Koiki added. (NAN)
A.I
May 19, 2026
Tags: Babatunde Koiki Godday Appah WBO Africa