Ridwan Oyekola: I nearly gave up on boxing due to poverty

Ridwan Oyekola, a world boxing champion better known as Scorpion, says he nearly gave up on his dream of being a boxer due to poverty.

Oyekola brought the revelation to light when he featured on Parrot Xtra Hour On Radio, a programme on Oluyole 98.5 FM in Ibadan, Oyo state.

The 23-year-old was recently crowned the World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Super Featherweight champion.

But speaking on the show, Oyekola said his rise to prominence was characterised by several challenges, adding that he faced rejections on numerous occasions while trying to find his feet as a boxer.

“I suffered terribly as an amateur. You know, it was very difficult to survive. But then, I was good enough and I easily qualified to represent Oyo state at different annual festivals and at championships,” he said.

“In those days, you must go to work. Nobody cared how you survived. Most of the time, I would trek from Total Garden to the Lekan Salami Stadium at Adamasingba to resume duties at the Sports Council. If you do not go to work, you would be paid half of your monthly stipend. Most of the time, I would beg people to buy food for me”.

The development, he said, made him resort to riding a motorcycle better known as Okada to eke out a living.

Oyekola, however, said luck smiled on him after he met Sola Ayodele, his present promoter and manager, in Ibadan where he had gone to buy some auto spare parts.

Using himself as an instance, the boxer enjoined Nigerian youths not to give up on their dreams regardless of the odds.

He also relished President Muhammadu Buhari’s congratulatory message over his recent boxing feat, noting that such would spur him to achieve more.

Also speaking, Ayodele said he was moved to help Oyekola at the time after learning of his struggles despite having great boxing potentials.

He disclosed that the boxing champion would defend his title in six months’ time.

Ayodele went on to appreciate Seyi Makinde, Oyo governor, and others for their support for Oyekola and the development of boxing in the state.

On how he came about Scorpion as his stage name, Oyekola said he got it from Ajibola, his former trainer, who has trained several professional boxers but remains uncelebrated.

He said he adopted the name to encourage the former trainer who suffered in the profession and was not rewarded by the authorities.