Nigeria’s Boxer, Ifeanyi Onyekwere is optimistic about winning a gold medal at the African Games in Accra, Ghana is next on his agenda after he got a silver medal under a cloudy circumstances for Cross River State at the just concluded 21st National Sports Festival, Asaba, Delta.

Onyekwere who won a bronze medal for Team Nigeria at the Commonwealth Games fought in the Super Heavyweight class (+92kg) at the National Sports Festival before he was allegedly robbed of the gold medal by the representative from Team Delta.

The young pugilist oozed class, and superb boxing skills at the Event Centre Gymnasium, Asaba throughout his bouts with his long jabs, fronts, superb footwork and instincts which made him the toast of fans.

The young undergraduate of Benson Idahosa University, studying Childhood Care Management, is a huge prospect. The self-styled Ali Junior said he chose to represent Cross River State because he grew up in Calabar and loves the Canaan City’s warmth to non- indigenes.

Nigeria has a potential world champion in her hand, Onyekwere who won a bronze medal in the last Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is positive about what the future holds for him.

“I am disappointed to finish with a silver medal with all that I put in. I wanted to win a gold medal for Cross River State but it is one of those things. I am certain I won the fight but the result was done to favour the boxer from the host State,” Onyekwere who is originally from Imo State disclosed.

“I had the game under control and the only thing I didn’t do was to knock him out. I didn’t know why the result was changed in the favour of Team Delta. You keep on learning every day.”

Onyekwere said his focus has now been shifted to the preparation for the African Games in August next year in Ghana. He said he will continue to train himself and work extra hard to ensure he is ready for the competition.

“I have put the National Sports Festival and everything that transpired behind me. I was to continue training harder and ensure I am ready for the African Games.

Boxing: Onyekwere eyes African Games gold

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