69-Year-Old Boxer Bash Ali Set for Comeback Fight After 21 Years

Former world cruiserweight boxing champion, Bashiru Lawrence Ali, popularly known as Bash Ali, has announced his long-awaited return to the boxing ring more than two decades after his last professional fight.

The 69-year-old Nigerian boxing legend, who last competed professionally in 2004, disclosed that preparations are in top gear for what he described as a “historic comeback” bout. According to him, the forthcoming fight will prove that “age is just a number” and that he remains physically and mentally fit to compete at the highest level.

Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Bash Ali boldly declared that his opponent would not last beyond the first round.

“I am not just coming back to fight; I am coming back to make history. My next fight will not last beyond the first round. I have been training, I am ready, and I will shock the world once again,” he said.

Bash Ali, who holds a Guinness World Record as the oldest boxer to challenge for a world title, has spent several years lobbying for government support to host a Guinness World Record Boxing Championship in Nigeria — an event he insists will put the country on the global sporting map.

He also revealed that discussions are ongoing with international boxing promoters and Nigerian sports authorities to finalize the date and venue for the bout.

Ali’s comeback has stirred excitement and debate within the boxing community, with many applauding his determination, while others express concern about the physical risks associated with fighting at his age.

The veteran boxer, however, dismissed all doubts, emphasizing that discipline, fitness, and faith have sustained him over the years.

“This fight is not about money; it’s about legacy, pride, and showing that Nigerians can achieve the impossible,” he added.

If successful, Bash Ali’s return will make him one of the oldest professional boxers ever to compete, further cementing his place in Nigeria’s sporting history.