Elizabeth Oshoba, 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist, has credited the conditions boxers face in Nigeria for her strong mentality while pursuing a professional career abroad in the United Kingdom, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The 23-year-old featherweight boxer defeated Italian Nadia Flalhi on points after six rounds on September 30 at the MECA Regent Circus in Swindon, Wiltshire, UK to improve her record to (5-0-0-3KOs).
She is now headed to her first professional title fight in November, although her opponent for the clash has not yet been confirmed.
“The last fight I had last month got me ranked among the top 10 boxers but the next one is a title fight,” she told PUNCH Sports Extra.
“I am confident that I am going to win the title in November. I have been training hard for it and I know with the dedication I have put in the sport, I can win it. The only thing I can’t say for sure is if it will be a KO win, but no matter who they bring to face me, I will win.”
Unlike some of her counterparts abroad who trained separately from the male boxers, Oshoba was thrown in with the boys and that forged her mental strength.
“I had tough trainings, sparred with male boxers and had to improvise a lot back home in Nigeria. I had to motivate myself a lot.
“So, I think that prepared me for the opportunities I am seeing now, all those challenges made me stronger. Whenever I remember those moments, it really motivates me to give more than 100 per cent,” Oshoba told PUNCH Sports Extra.
Now living in England and managed by promotional company Neilson Boxing, Oshoba advised the young female boxers in Nigeria saying, “I would like to tell them not to give up in whatever they are doing. No matter how difficult it is, no matter the struggle, hard work is going to pay, they should not give up and keep working towards their goals.”
