A Nigerian Boy Hopes for International Boxing Success
2021-07-03
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1This is the sound of 15-year-old Nigerian boxer Tijani Abdulazeez training.
2He hits the target hard, again and again.
3He uses boxing gloves to protect his hands
4Known as "TJ," the boy works out on a dusty piece of land in Alagbado, a neighborhood outside Lagos.
5TJ dreams that one day someone will see him box and help him travel to a country where he can grow even more in his sport.
6He dreams of training in a real sport center and competing against the best young boxers in the world.
7"I want to become a professional fighter, like Anthony Joshua, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, and I want to represent Nigeria," TJ said.
8His boxing awards already decorate his small home.
9His father, Abdulfathi Abdulazeez, sells wood.
10But he also trains TJ and helps him get all the equipment for daily boxing training.
11Abdulfathi started the Owonikoko boxing group.
12He said he hopes boxing success will help the boys he trains feed their families one day.
13Until then, the boxing gives the boys structure and keeps them busy and safe.
14Sports, he said, prevent them from "becoming a nuisance."
15The boys jump, do push-ups and other exercises to get into good condition for boxing.
16They practice on rubber ground covers placed in the shape of a boxing ring.
17People stop to watch.
18In another neighborhood in Lagos, the boys in the club entered a series of fights.
19The set-up was more professional, with a full-size fight space, ropes and a crowd cheering for the young boxers.
20TJ had a good day. He won another award for his family's collection.
21Among the crowd at the event was Akeem Kilani, a boxer himself.
22"TJ is a talented boxer," he said. "You can tell he is our champion and he will be Nigeria's champion tomorrow.
23I'm Dan Friedell.
1This is the sound of 15-year-old Nigerian boxer Tijani Abdulazeez training. 2He hits the target hard, again and again. He uses boxing gloves to protect his hands 3Known as "TJ," the boy works out on a dusty piece of land in Alagbado, a neighborhood outside Lagos. 4TJ dreams that one day someone will see him box and help him travel to a country where he can grow even more in his sport. He dreams of training in a real sport center and competing against the best young boxers in the world. 5"I want to become a professional fighter, like Anthony Joshua, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, and I want to represent Nigeria," TJ said. 6His boxing awards already decorate his small home. 7His father, Abdulfathi Abdulazeez, sells wood. But he also trains TJ and helps him get all the equipment for daily boxing training. 8Abdulfathi started the Owonikoko boxing group. He said he hopes boxing success will help the boys he trains feed their families one day. 9Until then, the boxing gives the boys structure and keeps them busy and safe. 10Sports, he said, prevent them from "becoming a nuisance." 11The boys jump, do push-ups and other exercises to get into good condition for boxing. 12They practice on rubber ground covers placed in the shape of a boxing ring. 13People stop to watch. 14In another neighborhood in Lagos, the boys in the club entered a series of fights. The set-up was more professional, with a full-size fight space, ropes and a crowd cheering for the young boxers. 15TJ had a good day. He won another award for his family's collection. 16Among the crowd at the event was Akeem Kilani, a boxer himself. 17"TJ is a talented boxer," he said. "You can tell he is our champion and he will be Nigeria's champion tomorrow. 18I'm Dan Friedell. 19Nneka Chile wrote this story for Reuters. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. 20Who are the teen athletes in your country who might become world champions one day? Tell us in the Comments Section and visit our Facebook page. 21_______________________________________________________________ 22Words in This Story 23boxer - n. someone who participates in the sport of boxing 24gloves - n. a very thick, padded covering for the hand that is worn in the sport of boxing 25decorate - v. to put something around a room to make it look attractive 26nuisance - n. a person, thing, or situation that is annoying or that causes trouble or problems - usually singular