The executives of Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC), led by its President, Dr Rafiu Ladipo yesterday performed a ceremonial pullout for the recently departed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, a former boxer, boxing enthusiast, promoter and patron of NBBofC during a condolence visit to his palace.
Dr Ladipo and others was received by the children of the late monarch, the Oyomesis and Rev Ayo Ladigbolu where NBBofC boss condoled with the Oyo people and the entire Yoruba race over the passage of a king, which was believed to be the keeper of Yoruba customs and a good sportsman.
Ladipo, to the admirations of the children of the deceased, chiefs and well-wishers conducted the boxing ritual that is done to pull out a dignitary from the boxing fraternity after death which involved sounding a ringside bell for 21 times and the officials removing their black suits to take a bow.
While addressing newsmen after the exercise, NBBofC president said what they came to perform is very important and necessary considering the special place Late Alaafin occupied in the annals of Nigerian boxing circle, not mentioning the huge support, both financially and morally the monarch had offered the boxing family.
“Kabiyesi was our father in boxing, we always run to him for advice and support and he never failed once to support us, so what we have done here today is quite important and necessary, we shall further look into how we can institute a boxing program to immortalize his name”, said Ladipo.
