I won’t give up on Guinness World Record boxing match — Bash Ali

Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) cruiserweight champion, Bashiru Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, has expressed his determination not to give up on his Guinness World Record (GWR) which will make him the oldest boxer in history to fight and defend his title.

Ali, 67, whose last fight was against Tony Booth in 2004, in a release he personally signed and titled “Bash Ali: The Dream Waiting To Happen Can Never Be Killed”, and made available to Tribune Sports, said he would never give up on his dreams but rather make sure that the fight becomes a reality.

Ali, who has had more than 80 fights with 46 knockouts (KOs) under his belt, described himself as an extraordinary man who is set to “accomplish my dream and continue to fight till I am 70 years old, retire young and healthy with a lot of money.”

He said if were to be a white man, his dream and ambition would have seen the light of the day and would have been supported without a second thought in order to rewrite boxing history.

“Dreams, they say hardly die. It is not for fun that 17 years ago, African Boxing Ambassador, Nigeria’s Bashiru Lawrence Ali’s (OON) dream of becoming the Guinness World Record Boxing Champion refused to die. Many have given up on their dreams or even died with them, however, for Bash Ali, the man has remained on course until the mark is made.

“There are many doubting Thomases, who have dismissed this dream with a wave of the hand, wondering if he wants to kill himself in the adventure. Those who want to listen to themselves speak on the initiative, they would prefer he is stopped in his tracks.

“Being a man of conviction that Bash is, I know that many people give up on their dreams and die with it but I am an extraordinary man. I will accomplish my dream and continue to fight till I am 70 years old, retire young and healthy with a lot of money and then go into politics and become the President of Nigeria.

“If Bash Ali were to be a white man living in the west, his dream and ambition would have seen the light of the day, despite the assertion of those against the dream. Older persons desirous of fulfilling an ambition in the west and other saner climes would have been supported without a second thought in order to rewrite boxing history,” the statement read in part.

Ali said the initiative is being private- driven just as he is ready to shock the world to rewrite boxing history.

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