Former Nigerian urges boxers to plan for life after boxing

By Nicholas Obisike

Mr Ikechukwu Okoronkwo, a former Nigerian Boxer has urged upcoming  boxers to invest the money they made while in active boxing for life after sports.

Okoronkwo gave this advice in Enugu on Friday following the demise of a colleague, Jeremiah Okorodudu who died at a hospital in Lagos on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okoroduru died in a private hospital at the age of 64 years after battling a foot ulcer.

Okoronkwo who expressed concern over the treatment of sports men and women in the country at their old age, said  that Okorodudu was left to his fate during his trying period at the hospital.

According to him, he discovered that it was better to save money as a Boxer or Coach and also have accessible investments once one is above 40 years.

“It is never a good idea to depend on someone but to trust only in God, because many people around you are only after your money and output, not your welfare.

He said that one must strive hard to get closer to your community of origin just like most Nigeria Political Office holders are doing.

NAN reports that Okorodudu days won Gold at the 1979 National Sports Festival in Ibadan and won Bronze at the1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia.

He also represented the country in Boxing in the Middleweight category at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

(NAN)