Music, Boxing, and a mixture of Tear Gas and Horsewhips! – 2004

By Sue TL Fox- January 12, 2004

(JAN 12) Many wondered if the Nigerian Event “Battle of Hope Concert AID/HIV Awareness” that was to feature a mixture of music and boxing would take place on January 10, after the United States fighters did not go there to fight.  First we found out that Mia St. John and Eliza Olson who were going to fight for a title at that event,  were not paid half of their purse that was agreed upon before they left for Nigeria—and ultimately their fight was dropped by the promoter of this event. Then we had Laila Ali who was to fight Geraldine O’Neil in a six-rounder at this event—she did not go and cancelled out.

Well folks….The event DID take place, amongst 10,000 plus young people who did some wild partying that lasted until 3am amid the tear gas and horsewhips!

The event took place in Nigeria’s National Stadium that can hold approximately 60,000 people.  Local news sources reported that Ashanti performed, but cut her act short.  Also, rapper DMX who was the mainliner performed but had to get the crowd under control by harsh words at the end of his first set.

There were also two women’s boxing matches in the event….News sources did not mention the boxers names but reported the following, “Early on, boxing fans enjoyed two, three-round women’s bouts — one for a pair of super-heavyweight brawlers, and one for an energetic and promising couple of welterweights –but most of the violence was in the crowd.”

Local news sources reported that despite the “good-natured” mayhem, the essential message of Aids awareness had not been forgotten by the performers or the organizers and was delivered to these young teens.