By Toby TAIWO
For many people, boxing is simply seen as a Ghetto sport. But for Oluwafemi Bakare, boxing represents discipline, opportunity, self-development, and a pathway to changing lives.
A professional fitness trainer, licensed boxing coach, and promoter, Bakare has quietly built a name for himself in Nigeria’s boxing scene through years of dedication, talent development, and his unique approach to training fighters.
Bakare revealed that his boxing journey started nearly two decades ago while studying Computer Science at the University of Lagos. Although he was doing his internship at the time, his passion for fitness gradually pulled him into sports.
“During my days in school, I had a passion for fitness,” he explained. “One day I decided to register in a gym, and from there the journey started. While I was training, I noticed I enjoyed helping people too.”
Bakare admitted that his interest in boxing actually began long before then, but strict family rules prevented him from openly pursuing it.
“My parents were teachers and strict disciplinarians. They saw boxing as fighting, so I used to sneak out to practice,” he said.
Over time, that passion turned into something bigger. As he continued training people, many began to notice his boxing knowledge and techniques. According to him, the positive feedback became the fuel that pushed him into becoming a licensed coach and boxing promoter.
The turning point came after he helped prepare a professional boxer for an important fight.
“He came to me and said, ‘Coach, you have to help me.’ We worked together, and he won the fight. He came back again for another fight and won, too. That was when I knew I had to take this seriously and do it professionally,” Bakare said.
His first boxing promotion took place at Rita’s Hotel in Abule Egba, where he invited several young fighters who would later become notable names in Nigerian boxing. Among them were Rilwan “Badoo” Animashaun and Saddam ‘Baby Boxer’ Oladipupo, who were still developing fighters at the time.
Bakare explained that although he knew becoming a professional boxer himself would be hard because of his background, he realised he could contribute more by training talents and helping young people grow in the sport.
Since then, his journey has been filled with both success and challenges.
“It’s been up and down,” he admitted. “I set standards for myself and sometimes the environment makes it difficult to meet those standards.”
One major challenge, according to him, is the stigma surrounding boxing in Nigeria. He believes many people still see boxing as a sport meant only for people from the streets or ghettos.
“The mentality was that boxing is for touts or hooligans; I wanted to change that perception. Because I was educated, people started seeing boxing differently. I became a bridge between the elite and local boxing communities.”
Another challenge is the lack of proper facilities and financial support. Bakare revealed that despite producing national and international champions, he still trains many fighters in open fields without a proper boxing ring.
“I use instruments to mimic a ring while teaching them ring IQ and movement,” he explained. “Funny enough, we produced national and world titles without even having a standard ring.”
Despite the difficulties, Bakare has achieved significant success as a coach and promoter. He recalled one of his earliest achievements when he guided Yusuf Ogunbunmi to victory against Isaac “D Star” Chukwudi in a national lightweight title fight.
“That was my first appearance in a professional fight, and from then till now, I can proudly say I have about a 95 percent win rate,” he said.
Another major achievement came when his boxer, Godday “Zodsolo” Appah, won a WBO title within 12 months of working together. Bakare also revealed that he played a role in preparing popular entertainer and Twitch streamer Carter Efe for his celebrity boxing clash against Portable.
“He met me and asked for tips and styles to beat Portable, so I helped him,” Bakare said.
Beyond boxing, his methods have also attracted celebrities and athletes. Over the years, he has trained personalities such as Funke Akindele, Tobi Bakare, Anthony Joshua, Wilfred Ndidi, Nancy Isime, and actor Kunle Remi.
He also recently worked as a boxing coach in the movie “Across the Bridge.”
Bakare currently runs Apex Boxing Promotion alongside veteran coach Don Chester, whom he credits for helping shape his career. He also introduced his training style called “Boxercise,” which combines boxing and exercise to make workouts more engaging for clients.
According to him, boxing in Nigeria is growing rapidly and could become one of the country’s biggest sports industries in the next few years. He pointed to the rise of celebrity boxing events and increased international attention as signs of progress.
“Before now, Nigerian boxers were earning little money. Today, some are earning millions,” he said. “The last event we organised had massive global attention because it was streamed internationally.”
Bakare praised organisations like GoTV, the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, and boxing promoters for helping increase visibility for the sport. He particularly credited celebrity fights involving entertainers like Portable and Carter Efe for attracting new audiences to boxing.
Looking ahead, the coach disclosed plans to launch a boxing academy in partnership with RRG Boxing Gym on Lagos Island. The aim, according to him, is to educate and develop young boxers both inside and outside the ring.
“We want fighters to understand that boxing is more than fighting,” he explained. “You can become a coach, promoter or analyst and still build a career in the sport.”
He also advised upcoming coaches and boxers to remain disciplined, humble, and patient.
“See boxing as a career and not just a way to escape poverty,” he said.
Bakare further urged the government and private companies to invest more in boxing through sponsorships, infrastructure, and grassroots competitions. According to him, introducing boxing competitions at the secondary school level could help discover future champions early.
He also believes boxing offers benefits beyond sports.
“Boxing teaches discipline, calmness, respect, and confidence,” he explained. “It also helps mentally and physically. It improves coordination, decision-making, and self-defence.”
As Nigerian boxing continues to gain attention locally and internationally, Bakare remains optimistic about the future of the sport.
“I see boxing competing with other major sports in Nigeria,” he said. “Maybe, Just Maybe, we could have a Boxing World Cup”. Bakare said jokingly.
