THE INSIDER: Bash Ali, Sunday Dare and intrigues of the ‘world record fight’ that never was

Bash Ali, the former cruiserweight world champion, and his pursuit of the Guinness World Record fight to be the oldest boxing champion in the world have continued to generate controversy. 

For over 20 years, Ali has aimed to host the supposed record bout in Nigeria and swore to never hold it elsewhere, “despite juicy offers to fight outside of Nigeria”.

The 69-year-old seeks to beat the record set by Bernard Hopkins when he defeated Tavoris Cloud in 2013 to win the IBF light-heavyweight crown at 48.

However, Ali’s quest has seen him embroiled in bitter disputes with successive sports ministers and administrators.

In the latest instalment of the controversy, Ali is demanding N500 billion in damages from Sunday Dare, the former sports minister, in suit number FCT/HC/CV/6411/2023, which is slated to be heard on July 3 by an Abuja high court.

Ali accused Dare of extorting N13 million from him to stage the proposed Guinness World Record fight in Nigeria. The former boxing champion also claimed that the federal government stalled the hosting of the fight despite facilitating an advance payment of $12 million.

Insiders on the matter told TheCable that Ali’s lawsuit against Dare “is not a new case,” adding that it is only being pushed to spread “lies and defamation”.

One of the sources said Dare is “totally unconnected” to the $12 million allegation.

The insider added that Dare had not been appointed sports minister during the period when the alleged incident happened.

‘N13M SETTLEMENT DISCOUNT NOT EXTORTION’

The insider stated that the N13 million Ali accused Dare of extorting from him was an out-of-court settlement discount from a previous case against Solomon Dalung, another former sports minister.

In 2017, the security details of Dalung assaulted Ali while he was demanding an audience with the minister in Abuja. Ali claimed he was hit in the head with a rifle, kicked in the ribs during the attack and had to be rushed to the trauma unit of the Accident and Emergency Department of the National Hospital, Abuja.

The insider told TheCable that the boxer was eventually awarded N28 million in damages for the assault in suit number CA/A/893/2017.

Dalung’s tenure as sports minister ended in 2019, and he was replaced by Dare later that year.

“Mr. Sunday Dare upon assuming office as Sports Minister reviewed the case file. The Appeal No. FCT /HC/1035:3017 in the High Court of Appeal Terms of Settlement was reached by all parties to pay N15 million only to Bash Ali,” the insider told TheCable.

TheCable learnt that the settlement was executed with Ali and B.O. Nafagha, his lawyer, as well as the permanent secretary of the sports ministry and its director of legal affairs, all of whom are signatories to the agreement.

According to the source, the N15 million was paid to Ali’s lawyer on March 26, 2020.

“Court documents that show the court settlement which Bash Ali signed. From N28m to N15m. There is no N13m extortion,” the insider told TheCable.

“In this case, the difference between the N28 million awarded and the N15 million negotiated payment is N13 million — that is what Bash Ali now falsely presents as an extortion claim, accusing and defaming both the former Minister and the head of the Legal Department without any credible evidence.”

BASH ALI’S FIGHT WITH SUCCESSIVE SPORT MINISTERS

Ali’s last professional fight was in 2004, when he knocked out Tony Booth, the then-British cruiserweight champion, in the fourth round.

Since then, he has been after the opportunity to be despite his age.

In his quest for the world record, Ali has levelled corruption allegations against several sports ministers.

In 2013, Ali accused Bolaji Abdullahi, a former sports minister, of demanding a bribe to stage the record match. The situation deteriorated after Abdullahi demanded a public apology from Ali over the allegation, and the boxer refused.

In 2015, Ali also fell out with Dalung after accusing the then sports minister of frustrating the organisation of the match. He claimed that Dalung had been plotting to cut a deal for himself with the Bank of Industry and NEXIM Bank, who had reportedly planned to sponsor the fight.

In 2024, the former cruiserweight champion accused John Enoh, another former sports minister, of demanding “$1 million” from him before the record bout could be staged. It took a threat of legal action from the former sports minister to restrain Ali from making further defamatory comments.

‘DOUBTS ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF ALI’S RECORD BOUT’

One of the insiders told TheCable that the failure of Ali’s proposed record fight to get approval from successive administrations is “a clear indication of lingering doubts about its legitimacy”.

“He has, however, perfected the weapon of blackmail and defamation against all Ministers. The facts are clearly stated,” the source told TheCable.