Burna Boy, Wande Coal to headline GOtv Boxing Night 17

When the 17th edition of GOtv Boxing Night (GOtv Boxing Night 17) kicks off on 28 December at the Tafawa Balewa Square, a large slice of the attention will be directed to the quartet of Burna Boy, Wande Coal, Teni da Entertainer and Daddy Showkey. They will have a supporting cast of two fast rising stars in the shape of TJ Classic and OJ Flamez.

The event, tagged “Boxing Jams Music”, is conceived to deliver the biggest clash between music and boxing, a head-on collision of sorts.

Burna Boy, the widely acclaimed exponent of dancehall-flavoured hits, is famous for Ye, Gbona, On the Low and Heaven’s Gate.

Each of the first three songs of the grandson of Pa Benson Idonije, first manager of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, is a monster hit.

Burna Boy is enjoying a hugely successful year and is in hot demand.

Wande Coal is not far behind. The Black Diamond singer ended 2017 with the release of the critically acclaimed Iskaba, re-establishing himself as a strong force. He has since kicked on, releasing pearls like Oh No No, Turkey Nla and So mi So in 2018.

Also turning heads is Teni Da Entertainer, the bulky songstress who has had breakout year. Last year, she released Fargin, serving a notice of her talents. She has followed up with an impressive collection that includes Case, which effectively took her out of the shadow of her more established sister, Niniola. Her other credits include Askamaya and Shake Am.

Ghetto Soldier, Daddy Showkey, who has just returned with a new song, is an energetic performer with a rich collection of classics such as Fire Fire, Somebody Call My Name, and Diana.

For the boxing, eight fights are scheduled, with the biggest being the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental super featherweight title fight between Nigeria’s Seun “The Machine” Wahab and Issa “Peche Boy” Nampepeche of Tanzania. Another international bout will see US-based Femi Oyeleye take on Victor Kemavor of Ghana in a challenge bout. The show will also have a generous sprinkling of the biggest stars of Nigerian boxing. These include Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, Nurudeen “Prince” Fatai and Ridwan “Scorpion” Oyekola.

Flykite Productions, organisers of the show, explained that the decision to marry music and boxing at GOtv Boxing Night 17, the biggest ever edition, was taken to give fans a well-molded festive season entertainment package that caters to both tastes.

“This show is designed to deliver optimally on both counts. The line-up of artistes will offer the best of Nigerian music, while the fights scheduled will meet the expectations of boxing fans. And for those with appetite for both, it is double portion,” said Jenkins Alumona, Managing Director, Flykite Productions.

He assured that adequate security arrangements involving a top-tier private security firm, anti-riot and regular policemen as well as traffic management plans have been concluded to ensure safety and ease of vehicular movement in and around the venue. The best boxer at the event will go home with a N1.5million cash prize.