BASH ALI: COMMITTED TO HIS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FIGHT

Nigeria’s Bash Ali

By Inemesit Ebu

The greatest honor a man can experience in his life is being recognized, respected and revered as a Legend in whatever field or endeavor he is in. If he can achieve what he set out to achieve, at the end, considered the world’s best, he has achieved the best honor he can achieve in his life.

The World Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Champion, Bashiru Ali, better known as Bash Ali had been battling for over 18 years to host his Guinness World Record Boxing Championship fight in his country, Nigeria. This had not been possible yet and the reason is not far-fetched. It could be as a result of his unwavering stance against corruption in Nigeria.

For Bash Ali, who won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Cruiserweight title in 1985 and was known for his powerful punches and aggressive fighting style during his active days in the ring, still believes in his Guinness World Record dream. He believes one day his dream will come to reality. He pushes ahead.

It is often a sad moment, each time our true heroes helplessly pass on as a result of poverty and or curable health challenges, but no funds. Till today, we remember our fallen heroes like Jerry Okorodudu, Rashidi Yekini, Peter Fregene, Sebastian Brodericks, Mike Onyemachara, Emmanuel Ebiede and Thompson Oliha among others who served Nigeria but died as a result of avoidable situations.

Mike Tyson of the United States of America went very broke after quitting boxing 19 years ago. Today, his story has changed because his compatriots decided to be agents of positive change. He admitted his youthful errors, which led to the mismanagement of his resource and landed him near penury.

Mike Tyson, (58) last fight that bailed him out of poverty with 20 million dollars

However, his country, the sporting fraternity, and Boxing stakeholders who felt he had given so much to the sport and made America proud with his talent rallied around him. The Iroko must not fall.

They fixed a bout with a former blogger, Paul Jake, thus creating an avenue for the legendary Iron Mike to smile home with a whopping $20m. It was an inconsequential fight that had many positive consequences for Tyson.

It was deliberately done to help him rebuild his life or, better still, to help him bounce back as a “retirement benefit” even as he ages.

No one cared about his race or the colour of his skin. No one bothered to ask, which or what religion he practiced . No one asked, whose son he was. No one queried him on what he did with the millions he made in boxing while he was Champion. No one reminded him of how reckless and lavish he was with money during his youthful era.

It wasn’t about East, West, North or South. It was about giving life a meaning. It was about giving someone a shoulder to lean on. It was about being one’s brother’s keeper.

No one recalled how he gambled, went in and out of nightclubs, frolicked with women and lived a larger-than-life lifestyle which later crashed. All they wanted was for Tyson to age gracefully. All they wanted was to leave a legacy of ensuring the champ remains a champ.

He was simply helped. He was assisted. He was supported. He was lifted. He was revived. He was given hope again. He was brought back to life.

That’s what life is all about. Don’t condemn others. Don’t pass the blames. Don’t judge. Don’t mock…just help if you can and when necessary.

A more recent example is the Nigerian icon, the undefeated World Cruiserweight champion, Bash Ali. At over 60 years and still sparring in the gym, he has, for many years asked the nation to sponsor a fight to enable him to prove that Nigeria has some of the best athletes in the world despite his age. As usual, he was invited to the US but he declined the invitation by sports-loving enthusiasts because Nigeria can earn over a billion dollars if it’s done here at home, a push that has seen Bash Ali in media bouts with Sports Ministers.

Bash Ali with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the latter’s 71st birthday celebration. Will the ringside bell-toll allow Bash to mount the ring with this president?

The Federal Government of Nigeria has always shown interest in hosting this historic event in Nigeria and on 3 occasions; November 9, 2006, January 7, 2014 and May 21, 2019, inaugurated the Bash Ali Boxing Project Local Organizing Committee with the Office of the Chief of Staff of the President representing the Presidency, the office of the Senate President and the office of the Speaker both representing the legislative while the private sector will fund the historic event and the FGN through the ministry of sports will provide an enabling environment for a successful show.

The FGN is not putting up a kobo. Despite 3 inaugurations and the representatives of the FGN in the Local Organizing Committee, the historic event is yet to see the light of the day because of Corruption.

Now, that President Tinubu has come on board with the Renewed Hope Agenda, Nigeria and the world are looking forward to Bash Ali rewriting Boxing History in Nigeria and earning a place in the Guinness World Record Book as the oldest Boxer to ever defend and fight for a World Boxing Championship Fight. The world is watching. Let the government of the day give him a chance to achieve his goal.