Countdown to the first ever AFBC Pro Boxing Contest in Tunis, Tunisia, January 24, 2025
AFBC PRO BOXING WILL GO ON, SAYS TUNISIA FED’ PRESIDENT
Come rain or shine, the inaugural AFBC Pro Boxing show will go on as scheduled on January 24 at the Sidi Boussaid Gymnasium in Tunisia’s capital city, Tunis.
This is the firm position of Tunisia Boxing Federation President Barbouche Zied.
His remarks are in reaction to Africa Boxing Confederation President Eyassu Berhanu who has said the Tunisia pro boxing contest has not been sanctioned by the African body which he said has the exclusive ownership rights related to competitions.
The Interim President of the AFBC group which does not recognise Berhanu’s leadership, Ferdinand Ilunga Luyoyo, has brushed aside the threats saying the Ethiopian is no longer the head of the African boxing body following a meeting in Kinshasa last October which passed a vote of no confidence on his leadership. IBA however insists Berhanu, for now, still remains the constitutionally-elected AFBC President.
Luyoyo and his team are organising the event in conjunction with the Tunisian federation.
“Tunisia is a sovereign country which respects international conventions and which respects itself and does not accept any interference in their national affairs,” Zied told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview.
He went on: “We are always open for dialogue and we never accept being threatened. Concerning my colleague Eyassu, he is always welcome as president of the Ethiopian boxing federation and I will be very happy to welcome Ethiopian boxers to Tunisia.”
Zied fully supports Luyoyo’s efforts to empower African boxers financially through the introduction of AFBC Pro Boxing.
“The General has showed his great love for African boxing,” said Zeid, adding: “He made a lot of effort to save our African union, moreover he did a great job during the African Championships in Kinshasa last year. Together we will overcome all difficulties to ensure a financially rewarding future for our African boxers.”
Zied said they have the backing of the government, and that plans are at an advanced stage for this grand event to held against a beautiful backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea.
“We’re ready to celebrate African brotherhood which means a lot to all Tunisians bringing Africa together,” said Zied who promised a packed house during the January 24 pro boxing showdown.
“The gymnasium will certainly be full on the day of the fights for the simple reason that boxing is the most popular individual sport in Tunisia, especially since the first Tunisian Olympic medal – a bronze – was won by the famous boxer Habib Gualhia in 1964 in Tokyo. Tunisia is a boxing nation and has a lot of tradition in the noble art, spectators will attend in large numbers to witness this fraternity party.”
Zied said Tunisia is proud to host what he describes as a great initiative by Luyoyo in the development of Africa boxing.
“Tunisian boxing federation is honoured to launch AFBC Pro Boxing, it will be a golden opportunity for African boxers to showcase their abilities and subsequently open a door for professionalism which will be a financial source for our boxers,” he said.
