National featherweight champion, Taiwo Agbaje, says he has resorted to collecting toll fee from drivers at the popular Ladipo market in Lagos to survive, in the wake of COVID-19, The PUNCH reports.

Agbaje, popularly known as Esepo, revealed that he lost millions of naira due to inactivity following the ban placed on boxing and other contact sports by the Federal Government.

Last month the FG lifted the ban on non-contact sports but insisted that contact sports like football, basketball, wrestling, boxing among others would remain banned until further notice.


Agbaje, winner of the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night 20 last December, told our correspondent that he turned a toll collector, popularly known as agbero, at the Ladipo market in Oshodi – the biggest auto spare parts market in Lagos — to make ends meet following the harsh economic conditions due to lack of fights.

“Our government is just being unfair to us because other countries have resumed sporting activities,” Ajagbe told The PUNCH.


“I have lost money running into millions of naira because there are a lot of fights I should have attended and I was confident I would have won because I trained so hard for them.

“But look at me now, I don’t have money and can’t go into the ring. For now, I work at Ladipo market as agbero to collect money from drivers all because I want to survive.”

Other athletes also pleaded with the Federal Government to lift the ban to ease the hardships on sportspeople.

PUNCH

cc. lalasticlala mynd44

Sad! Covid-19 adversely affected almost all sectors.

But, you lost millions because of no fights; what of the millions you made when there were fights

U would have turned your back on your country and represented other countries wey make sense

WibusJaga:
Sad! Covid-19 adversely affected almost all sectors.

But, you lost millions because of no fights; what of the millions you made when there were fights

you asked a very good question
a good one

Covid19 is a wake up call for every single person.

Just make sure you stay woke!

No more Lau-Lau