Last
month, Kabiru Towolawi popularly known as
Kaybee made good is promise to return to the boxing ring. After about five
years in retirement, Kaybee made is returned debut on Saturday 27th of
February, 2016 at the Lagos State Sport Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba in the Lagos
Boxing Hall of Fame,
LBHF. He won that fight easily, in this interview he told
Ola Pat, Assistant Editor his reason of coming back to the ring and his future
plan for boxing. Excerpt from the boxing champs chat.
 |
| Kaybee and his 2016 LBHF Trophy |
How do you feel winning
your first return match?
I feel good. I am happy I did
not disappoint myself, my coach - Always, my family and most importantly my
fans. This is just the beginning.
After this, what other
titles are you hunting for?
This is just the beginning, I
will get there. I am moving forward for good things. My aspiration is to move
to the professional level. I might be fighting by Easter Sunday.
Apart from this fight what
else are you doing?
I am still looking for a promoter
that will make my accession faster and easier.
Why do you want to go back
to boxing after so long?
Boxing is my hobby, it my
sport and it’s what I know. It is my God's gift. I just feel like coming back.
Where are you going with
boxing?
I want to move ahead because
in the first place I did not retire. I
just went away after the Olympic training tour in 2008. After I came back, I wasn't
impressed with the financial rewards.
Who is Kaybee?
I am from Ijebu-Ode in Ogun
state. Born and bought up in Bariga.
With you coming back to
boxing, what are you going to do differently this time?
The different will be the
clear cut goal; this time round I am aiming to advanced to the professional
category. I am in the amateur category now.
Why do you love boxing?
I just love boxing. It is
what I understand and know. I have try football, I have been a football club
promoter but none of them gives me joy like boxing.
What was the reaction of
your family?
I received a lot of support
from my wife and mother. My wife was just making fun of me doubting my ability
to bounce back.
How are you able to
instill the discipline boxing required and your social life style?
I was determined to come back
to boxing, so it was easy for me to overcome all unhealthy life style.
How do you get into
boxing?
It is a long story; I started
out in the 90s. Tunde was the genesis of my boxing career. Then, we were very
close friends and I can deal with him physically. Suddenly, when he has started
boxing training I can't ride him anymore. Any small issue, Tunde will deal with
me. So, that lures me into boxing. I
just decided to start boxing training too. I learned boxing for self defense, I
never thought it will take me this far. I was just taking it gradually
attending boxing events. Then I attended a Boxing Day and not only won my fight
but I was also awarded the best boxer of the day. I was amazed, is this how
easy it is to win? That was how I was subsumed into boxing. Since I got that
award and recognition, my interest in boxing grow like a wide flowers. I am
coming back to boxing again because of another friend, Femi Ajayi. I went to
the National Stadium to watch a boxing match sometime in the middle of last
year. And behold, Femi was one of the boxers. He has not retired; he was still
an active boxer. There and then, I made up my mind to return to the ring. If
Femi can still fight I can do it.
What schools do you
attend?
I attended Abule Ado Primary
school and I went to Gbagada Comprehensive.
Before you retired the
first time, what were the titles you won?
I was a Lagos State Champion
from 2001 to 2003; I represented Lagos State in 2003 and won a silver medal.
2004 I represented Edo State because then Lagos State doesn't reward her boxers
financially and I won a gold medal. And I was handsomely rewarded. In 2008, I
went to Olympic training tour in Korea.
Now that you are back in
boxing, what are you looking for?
I am back to take the Nigeria
Champion. That is my first target. When I collect the Nigeria Champion, I will
know what to do.
Apart from boxing, what else
do you do?
I am into Hotel management.
BY: Ola Pat
0802 344 1438