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Despite The Odds, Bash Ali Resolute To Rewrite Boxing History Remains Unchanged

The African Boxing Ambassador, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, OON, has become a household name in the world of boxing due to his tall ambition to make a name for himself as the oldest man to achieve two things in one night; win the Guinness World Record as the oldest man to step into a boxing ring and if he wins the fight, as the oldest man to win a world boxing title. Not only this, he would have put the name of Nigeria once again in the world record book.

The World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight champion turned 67 last February 27.

To Bash Ali, as he is fondly called by his teeming admirers who cut across all shades of life, and dreams, they say hardly die. It is not for fun that 17 years ago, his dream of becoming the Guinness World Record Boxing Champion refused to die.

Many have given up on their dreams or even died with them, however, for Bash Ali, the man has remained on course until the mark is made.

There are many doubting Thomases, who have dismissed this dream with a wave of the hand, wondering if he wants to kill himself in the adventure.

Those who want to listen to themselves speak on the initiative, would prefer he is stopped in his tracks.

Being a man of conviction that Bash is, he has said: “I know that many people give up on their dreams and die with it, but I am an extraordinary man.

“I will accomplish my dream and continue to fight till I am 70 years old, retire young and healthy with a lot of money and then go into politics and become the President of Nigeria.”

Many think he is on the path of damnation. But they do not know he has always been convinced beyond reasonable doubt of his capacity, capability and holding power in the game.

He has never given up on his dream, and neither has he ever gioven up on Nigeria. His implicit faith in his capacity has never been in doubt; and that has remained incontrovertible.

It is annoying, some Nigerians have regrettably curious opponents of anything good. They are supposed to support his ambition but are strongly against it.

If Bash Ali were to be a white man living in the West, his dream and ambition would have seen the light of the day, despite the assertion of those against the dream.

Bash Ali with Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria

Older persons desirous of fulfilling an ambition in the west and other saner climes would have been supported without a second thought in order to rewrite boxing history.

Today, we are where we are and perhaps more shameful that dreams are hardly pursued on account of what people would say.

For those who do not believe, Champion Bash Ali will surely shock the world by rewriting boxing history and making all his fiercest critics his most adored disciples.

You may do well to mark these words and get ready to be part of boxing history in the making. This has been a goal.

The initiative, if anyone cares to know has been privately driven. The Federal Government of Nigeria has never given a kobo since Champion Bash Ali embarked on the Guinness World Record Boxing Championship Fight initiative.

Rather, he has spent billions of Naira of personal money. Anyone who doubts it is free to cross-check.

We thought Bash Ali needed to be commended not condemned. But the choice is all yours to act. You can bet against him on the fight night, but we dare say you will lose your money because he is going to win.

The fact that Champion Bash Ali has continued to meet senior government officials and other critical stakeholders is to let the world know that he is able to do it and create history on his side.

The meeting was a moment for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight champion, Bash Ali to inform the government that the proposed Guinness World Record Boxing Championship which is scheduled to be held for the first time on African soil, outside the United States is possible.

If you feel not perpetrated to the cause, there is something hanging out in the air: A chance to make history and place Nigeria’s Bash Ali in the Guinness World Record beckons.

He is encouraged. It is on the way!

Bash Ali began his boxing career in September 1978 and never fought as an amateur. He is the only boxer in the world to win every cruiserweight title conceivable.

Bash Ali’s last fight was in 2004 when he knocked out the then-British cruiserweight champion, Tony Booth, in the fourth round. It is on record that in 1985, Bash Ali made history as the first cruiserweight boxing champion from the African continent.

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King Ademola Lookman Brings Out His Love

Like his father opened up, Ademola Lookman is essentially a private person, who prefers to do his stuff without all the media blitz.

But on one of his biggest days, when he was crowned Africa’s best player, he could not but make the first public appearance with the woman in his life – Jayda Love.

‘Adebobo’ would even steal a moment on his big night to kiss his American beau.

The 27-year-old Super Eagles star is still single.

Rumours of this romance first surfaced in the summer when the couple appeared to have spent the holidays together.

This was after ‘Mola’ scored his unforgettable hat-trick for Atalanta to win the UEFA Europa League in super style.

Jayda, an Information Technology specialist is based in Dallas, Texas, graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 2021 with a degree in public relations.

She follows Ademola Lookman and his foundation on social media.

She is also known to have visited him at his Italian base.

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FIFA Rankings: Nigeria’s Super Eagles End 2024 Ahead Of Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have ended 2024 ranked as Africa’s fifth-best team in FIFA’s latest global standings, released Thursday morning, Soccernet.ng reports.

Despite a challenging end to the year that saw the team drop eight places to 44th globally, the Super Eagles still managed to hold their own against eternal continental rivals like South Africa, Cameroon, and Ghana.

This year’s ranking represents a mixed bag for Nigeria. While the team retained its fifth spot in Africa, their decline in global rankings was driven by underwhelming performances in key fixtures.

Most notably, the Super Eagles struggled during the final rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, securing just a solitary point in lackluster outings against the Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Nigeria were forced to a scored draw by the Cheetahs in Abidjan only for Samuel Chukwueze’s excellent strike to end up as consolation in a 2-1 home defeat to the Wasps.

Looking at year-to-year standings, at this time in 2023, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were ranked 42nd in the world but sixth on the continent.

Elsewhere, South Africa’s Bafana Bafana showed marked improvement, climbing th

Cameroon and Ghana, however, endured disappointing campaigns. Ghana’s Black Stars finished the year ranked 77th, a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles within the Black Stars setup.

At the continental summit, Morocco retained their status as the continent’s best, finishing as Africa’s top-ranked team in 14th place globally.

Senegal (17th), Egypt (33rd), and Algeria (37th) rounded out the top four, with Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, and South Africa completing the top 10.

Globally, Argentina retained their position as FIFA’s top-ranked team, followed by France, Spain, England, and Brazil.

With 1,181 international matches played across the calendar year, the rankings reflected consistent dominance from the world’s elite teams.

As Nigeria enter 2025, all eyes will be on the Super Eagles to reignite their competitive spark, with the World Cup qualifiers returning in the first quarter of the year.

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Mbappé: Would Have Been ‘Fun’ To Play With Cristiano Ronaldo

Kylian Mbappé has said he wishes he could have played with Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, the club’s all-time leading scorer.

The France international has been a teammate of other football icons but would have relished playing alongside Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and Portugal captain.

“I’ve played with great players: Lionel Messi, Neymar, [Antoine] Griezmann, [Paul] Pogba, [Karim] Benzema…” Mbappé told BeINsports.

“It would have been fun to play with Cristiano Ronaldo — it’s going to be very difficult now — but I was lucky enough to play against him, a legend of the sport.”

Ronaldo, 39, left the Spanish giants in 2018 now plays for Saudi Pro-League side Al Nassr.

Mbappé helped Madrid win the Intercontinental Cup on Wednesday, his second title since joining the Spanish giants in the summer after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired.

Speaking to young people with disabilities as part of the BeUNITED program, Mbappe, 25, said he would have never left Paris Saint-Germain had it not been to join Madrid.

“I went to the biggest club in the world,” the 2018 World Cup winner said.

“I have always said that it was the only club I would have left PSG for. If I hadn’t been able to go to Madrid, I would have stayed at PSG all my life.”

Although Mbappé has been prolific for Madrid so far, he has faced criticism for his all-round performances with the team having suffered some high-profile defeats earlier in the season.

“Since I was 14, everyone told me I was going to be great,” Mbappé said.

“But when you’re big, sometimes you feel small…At first I was too hungry and it played tricks on me because I was impatient. But I have passion and this competitive side.

“My dream now is to win trophies with my team, not individual awards. What great title is left for me? The Champions League, but I’m in the best club in the world for that.”