Aishat Gbadamosi Reacts to Controversial Defeat at African Boxing Championships in Nairobi

By Yemi Odulana · Published October 19, 2026

Nigerian boxer Aishat Gbadamosi has vowed to move forward with her career after suffering a controversial defeat at the 2026 African Boxing Elite Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, insisting that the setback will not diminish her determination to succeed in the sport.

Gbadamosi lost a disputed 3-1 decision to Algeria's Douaa Rouaz in the women's featherweight category, covering the 54-57kg division, on Sunday, October 18. The result generated disagreement among some spectators who believed the Nigerian deserved a more favourable verdict.

Rather than dwell on the outcome, however, Gbadamosi immediately reviewed footage of the contest on her mobile phone, looking for areas where she could improve her performance.

Speaking after the fight, the Nigerian boxer said she was not disappointed by the result and remained committed to developing her skills through international competition.

"This is an experience I will cherish for a very long time. I am not disappointed. I will keep moving forward in my boxing career. I am a boxer, and I was born a boxer," she said

Her response provided a positive note amid the debate surrounding the judges' decision, as the young fighter focused on learning from the contest rather than allowing the defeat to derail her ambitions.

The championship represents only her second international outing, following an earlier appearance in Ghana, making the Nairobi competition another important opportunity to gain experience against opponents from across the continent. (Punch Newspapers)

Gbadamosi focuses on improvement despite disputed verdict

The Nigerian's defeat attracted attention because of the disagreement surrounding the 3-1 decision awarded to Rouaz.

Some spectators questioned whether the verdict accurately reflected the action inside the ring. Reports from the venue also described surprise among some observers following the announcement of the result.

However, the disagreement does not independently establish that the judges made an error. No publicly confirmed review of the scorecards or finding of misconduct had emerged in the initial reports.

For Gbadamosi, the immediate priority was to assess her own performance and identify lessons that could strengthen her future contests.

She explained that she believed in her abilities and intended to use the experience to improve her boxing.

"I believe in my ability, and I will take this experience to improve myself. My responsibility is to fight and give my best inside the ring. The technical officials have their own responsibilities," she said.

Her comments reflected a distinction between the responsibilities of athletes and those of competition officials. While boxers must prepare, compete and execute their strategies, judges are responsible for evaluating contests according to the applicable scoring rules.

By reviewing the fight immediately after the decision, Gbadamosi demonstrated her willingness to examine the contest and learn from the experience, even as questions about the verdict continued among spectators. (Sports247 Nigeria)

Second Nigerian boxer also loses disputed decision

Gbadamosi's defeat was not the only Nigerian result to attract criticism during the day's competition.

Nigerian boxer Abdulramon Abdulwahab also lost a disputed decision, going down 4-1 to Egypt's Hekal Ahmed in the men's light middleweight category, which covers 65-70kg.

Reports indicated that some Angolan boxers at ringside also questioned the outcome of Abdulwahab's contest.

The two results intensified discussion among some boxing observers about judging standards at the African Boxing Elite Championships.

Nevertheless, each contest must be assessed on its own evidence, and criticism from spectators alone is insufficient to establish that an official decision was incorrect.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation had not publicly commented on the disputed results at the time of the initial reporting. There was also no confirmed announcement of a formal review of the decisions.

The controversy nevertheless highlights the importance of transparent officiating, consistent application of scoring criteria and effective procedures for addressing legitimate complaints.

International championships carry significant consequences for athletes, whose performances can influence their competitive development, future selection opportunities and prospects for further exposure.

For this reason, confidence in the judging process is important to competitors, coaches, national federations and spectators.

Nairobi championship offers valuable international experience

Despite the disappointment of the result, the competition offers Gbadamosi an opportunity to gain experience against international opposition and assess her development in a demanding continental environment.

The boxer acknowledged that representing Nigeria was a privilege and described the experience as one she would remember for a long time.

Her earlier international appearance in Ghana and the latest championship in Kenya provide opportunities to learn about different opponents, competitive styles and the demands of performing under international tournament conditions.

In boxing, development involves more than winning individual bouts. Athletes must also refine their defensive techniques, improve tactical awareness, manage pressure and learn how to respond to different fighting styles.

Reviewing fight footage can help boxers and their coaches identify weaknesses, recognise successful combinations and develop strategies for future opponents.

Gbadamosi's decision to revisit her performance immediately after the contest suggests that she intends to use the experience constructively.

Her response also offers encouragement to other young athletes who encounter setbacks while pursuing competitive ambitions. Defeat can be disappointing, but a willingness to evaluate performance and continue training can be important to long-term development.

Calls for confidence in boxing officiating

The disagreement surrounding the two Nigerian defeats has renewed attention to the importance of credible judging at continental boxing competitions.

Judges must assess each bout according to the applicable rules, while organisers and governing bodies must maintain procedures that promote fairness and confidence in the results.

Where a decision attracts substantial criticism, clear explanations of the scoring process and appropriate review mechanisms can help address concerns.

However, it is important to distinguish between a disputed decision and proven wrongdoing. No independently established evidence of misconduct by the judges had emerged in the initial reporting of Gbadamosi's contest.

The Nigeria Boxing Federation and relevant championship authorities may provide further clarification if additional information or a formal review becomes available.

For now, Rouaz remains the officially declared winner, while Gbadamosi's attention is firmly on her continued development.

Conclusion

Aishat Gbadamosi's reaction to her controversial defeat at the African Boxing Elite Championships in Nairobi has placed her determination and commitment to improvement at the centre of the story.

Although the 3-1 decision in favour of Algeria's Douaa Rouaz prompted disagreement among some spectators, Gbadamosi has refused to allow the outcome to discourage her ambitions.

By immediately reviewing her performance and emphasising her responsibility to give her best inside the ring, the Nigerian boxer has signalled her intention to learn from the experience.

With another international competition behind her, Gbadamosi will look to build on the lessons from Nairobi as she continues her boxing career.

The debate over officiating may persist, but the official result remains unchanged unless the relevant authorities announce otherwise. For the Nigerian fighter, the next challenge is to turn the experience into progress and return to the ring stronger.