THE COUNT DOWN: OCTOBER 6TH 2007

This date (October 6, 2007) will mean different thing to different people. To some its only another October in 2007, but to the boxing fraternity, it means a date with destiny, a day that can possibly re-write the history of the African continent and put her on the global map, it’s a day that possibly millions of Nigerians could be put in the hearts of million of boxing faithfuls around the globe. It could be a day when a Nigerian could be listed along side names like Sony Liston, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Leon Spinks and the great one Mohammed Ali.

As a child, I watched with passion those days, when Chuka Momah will present “THE BIG FIGHT OF THE DECADE” for me it was pure gold, fifteen rounds of solid punches, high test of mental alertness, a great display of psychology and a medium through which the mind is tested.

October 6, 2007 will be for me another moment of education, a moment of strength, a day I will once again recall those good old days but this time a fellow country man will be performing the art of self defense, I shall be watching with so much passion and the blood of patriotism will flow through my vain and firmly I believe that my joy will not be short lived.

As the day to this history making event draws near, I can’t help but feel like am the one going for this epic battle, I wonder what will be going through the minds of both fighters as the game of boxing is highly unpredictable.

October 6, 2007, therefore becomes the date where those long hours in the gym will tell us who prepared most; “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses, behind the lines, in the gym and out there on the road, long before I dance under the lights”. So states Mohammad Ali. October 6, 2007, is an important date for our boxing (especially now that the game is suffering much here at home) Samuel Peters may just become the first Nigerian to wear the heavy weight belt round his waist.

Go Samuel and make your country look great while we continue the repair here at home, God helping us. You have my support and the support of millions of other well meaning Nigerians.