Five young talent have emerged as winners during the 2026 finals at the 9th edition of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly and ALGON Enugu State chapter , grassroots boxing talent hunt.
The grassroot boxing talent hunt with theme "Roaring Lion Boxing Championship State Finals" ended at Post Primary School Management Board Enugu (PPSMB) on Wednesday with five new talents discovered for national and international sports tournaments.
The new talents discovered at the championship includes, Maxwell Anikwe, 50kg from Nkanu West; Jude Ugwuanyi, 60kg from Nsukka; Hilary Favour, 55kg, female, Enugu North; Peter Abonyi, 50kg, Isi-Uzo and Kingsley Ossai, 49kg from Isi-Uzo.
The South East Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Bernard Ezema, while declaring the boxing tournament open, thanked the Speaker and the ALGON for organising boxing talent show, saying that it was from such talent hunts that they get youths that participate in sports both at international and local levels.
"The grassroots is where we get our talents. We appreciate the Speaker's effort and vision," he said and encouraged the young talents to strive for mastery.
Also speaking, chairman of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, PPSMB, Rev. Fr. Hilary Mgbodile, while appreciating the Speaker for his interest in catching them young, said that that was why they partnered with him to ensure a successful hosting of the talent hunts show.
The sponsor of the boxing talent hunt, Hon. Uche Ugwu, while appreciating the participants, the PPSMB for their partnership, said Enugu State had a lot of young people that needed to be empowered and discovered to better their lots in sports.
"The tournament is a talent hunt. If you come to our state, we have a lot of youth population. You know boxing is a very lucrative business just like football, boxing is very lucrative. Talents are there waiting and we want to harness them," he said and encouraged the youths to aspire higher in sports.
Speaking earlier, Mazi Comr Ikechukwu Okonkwo Coordinator of Speaker ENHA Grassroots Boxing event, thanked the
Coordinator National Sports Commission, Chairman PPSMB, P.R.O PPSMB, Staffs, Games masters, press, supporters, and the fearless young boxers gathered for the occasion.
Okoronkwo, said that, "what we are witnessing right now isn't just a competition-it is the continuation of an extraordinary legacy. For over eight years, this Speaker ENHA grassroots talent hunt has been a battleground of hope, a stage where raw passion meets discipline, and where future legends take their very first steps."
He said apart from the financial benefits that accrue from sports, it builds the body and makes it stronger.
"First, boxing builds unshakeable health and resilience. Every round trained, every jump rope session, and every minute in the ring builds a sharp mind, cardiovascular strength, and peak physical discipline. It teaches our youth to take care of their bodies and minds.
"Second, boxing teaches self-defense and self-control. It instills the confidence to stand tall, the discipline to avoid conflict, and the skill to protect oneself when necessary. It turns energy into purpose and focus into composure," he said, pointing out that "boxing offers a real career pathway and financial opportunity. This is not just a sport; it is an industry. For the young men and women boxing today, this boxing ring is the stepping stones to professional ranks, national representation, and life-changing earnings."
According to Okoronkwo, the ex-international, "Boxing can take a young athlete from local streets to international arenas, creating sustainable livelihoods and lifting whole families out of tough circumstances. Like the likes of Anthony Joshua, Mike Tyson and Muhammed Ali," he said and encouraged the young talents to aspire to greater height.
Fielding questions from sports journalists, two of the newly discovered talents, Jude Ugwuanyi, said that he liked boxing and that his role model is late Mohammed Ali whose style he said he cherished.
On her part, Favour Hilary, said that being a girl, she knew that it looked odd but she has been nursing the ambition to be a box from her youth. According to her, it is Makintosh that inspired her to develop interest in boxing and she wished to go places.
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