Oshoba, Ibeabuchi, Agbaje top nominees for 2026 boxing awards

Nigerian boxers Elizabeth Oshoba, Ike Ibeabuchi, and Taiwo "Esepo" Agbaje are the leading nominees for the 2026 Fight Gist Media Boxing Awards. The event will happen on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the National Institute for Sports Conference Hall, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

This award ceremony will honor the achievements of boxers, coaches, and promoters in 14 categories. Since it started last year, the awards have aimed to highlight Nigerian boxing talent and track the sport's growth in the country.

Oshoba is nominated for the Female Social Media Influencer award. She is up against Ojo Joy, Oluwole Bolatito, and Chiamaka Nwaturuocha.

Ibeabuchi is nominated for Comeback of The Year. He competes with Afolabi Shittu, Kabiru Towolawi, Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, and Kazeem Soyoye. His match against Kabiru "KB Godson" Towolawi is also nominated for Fight of The Year.

Agbaje was the biggest winner at last year's first event, where he won both Male Fighter of The Year and Fans’ Favourite. This year, he is nominated in three categories: Fans’ Favourite, Best Ring Walk, and Male Fighter of The Year.

In the Male Fighter of The Year category, Agbaje is joined by Sikiru Shogbesan, Tope Musa, Yusuf Ogunbunmi, Raheem Animasahun, Sodiq Adeleke, Tosin Osaigbovo, Ahmed Lawal, and Adeniji Yusuf. The Female Fighter of The Year category includes Toyin Adejumola, Oshoba, Adeola Oyesiji, Blessing Chukwuede, and Oluwole Bolatito.

The Fans’ Favourite category also features Adeniji Yusuf, Raheem "Baddo" Animashaun, Ahmed Lawal, Ezekiel "Touch" Seun, Adeshina "Destiny Boy" Oluwatosin, Akintayo Wasiu Adedayo "Oloba Shitta", and Godday "Zodsolo" Appah. In the Most Improved Boxer award, Animashaun, Oluwatosin, Durotimi Agboola, Toheeb Hassan, Emmanuel Abimbola, and Yusuf Ogunbunmi are competing.

For the Prospect of The Year award, Basit "Joker Boy" Adebayo, Oluwatosin, Sadam Oladipupo, Faruk Ajobi, Kolawole Adetoye, and Fatiu Ijomoni are nominated. Sodiq Adeleke, Hassan Tiamiyu, Toheeb Hassan, and Lekan Muibi are in the running for Knockout of The Year.

The Fight of The Year category includes Sadam Oladipupo’s match against Imole Oloyede, Sodiq Adeleke’s clash with Durotimi Agboola, and Hameed Lawal’s fight against Sodiq Oyakojo.

For Male Social Media Influencer, Adeyemi Opeyemi, Kazeem Soyoye, Chubuike Elisa, and Godday Appah are nominated. The Best Ring Walk category includes Basit Adebayo, Agbaje, Appah, and Ezra Arenyeka.

The Trainer of The Year nominees are Monsuru Akande, Tajudeen Adekunle Kazeem, Sunday Olalekan, Idris Ajanaku, Abimbola Kola, Olusegun Ajose, Ojo Babatunde, Azeez Kolawole Owonikoko, and Rasheed Bello.

In the amateur categories, Orakwe Blessing, Adeshina Zainab, Idowu Mistura, and Mayowa Ayomide are nominated for Outstanding Amateur Boxer (Female). Jamiu Olamilekan, Abijuwon Faruk, Ibrahim Yakubu, and Raheem Ridwan are competing for the male version of this award.

Olanrewaju Agiri and Olanrewaju Elundayo will receive Special Awards for their work in promoting Nigerian boxing.