By Lekan Okusan

The 2004 Sports Festival gold medallist, who lost to Camille Michel of Seychelles in the Super Heavyweight +91kg at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, said he regretted not winning for Nigeria at the Championship, adding that he has commenced training ahead of next year's All Africa Games.

"It was painful loosing in the quarter final to the guy from Seychelles," he said. "Although the bout ended at 29 points apiece, I expected the match to go in my favour because I got to 29 before now.

"But that is the game of sports. I believe I will make it to the All Africa Games in Algeria, come next year and I want to use the Championship to redeem my image and also bring glory to Nigeria. After the Games, I hope to turn professional and stop fighting in the amateur."

He, however, deplored government's negligence of boxers, lamenting that since the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games, government has done nothing tangible to enhance the well being of the boxers who did the nation proud.

He added that if adequate support is given the pugilists, some of them can become world Champions.

"I know that I have the skill to become world champion," he said. I am not getting any support from anybody.

"Even Lagos State that I am representing is not coming to my aid. So, I am left to fend for myself. After training each day, I engage in commercial transportation in order to feed myself. So, in this country, boxers are not really encouraged to get up there."

Olanrewaju further advised government and corporate bodies to assist the boxers in putting up a regular championship that would assist them in improving their skills and keeping them in shape for major championships, both within and outside the country.

The right-handed pugilist stated that the country is endowed with talents that can stand shoulder to shoulder with their foreign counterparts.