Monarch Promotions delivered a powerful close to 2022 with King of the Ring 2, blending high-stakes boxing and live music. The event took place at the prestigious Eko Club in Surulere and featured ten professional bouts, including a WBO Africa Super Flyweight title fight. It was broadcast live on FITE.tv and starred top musical acts such as Timi Dakolo, Jaywon, B‑Tone, C‑Prince, and CDQ to entertain fans between rounds.
Title Main Event: Tasif Khan vs. Gabriel Laryea
The headline card saw England-based Pakistani boxer Tasif Khan battle Ghana’s Gabriel Laryea for the vacant WBO Africa Super Flyweight title. In a commanding display, Khan captured the belt and handed Ghana their first defeat of the night.
Standout Performances from Monarch’s Fighters
- Victor Beneth (Nigeria) defeated Joseph Tetteh (Ghana) in the light-heavyweight division via unanimous decision over eight rounds. It marked Beneth’s third consecutive win, improving his record to 3‑0‑1.
- Adijat “Dija” Gbadamosi made her professional debut in the female bantamweight category. The Youth Olympic silver medallist dominated Taiye Kodjo, winning a unanimous decision in six rounds.
Other Memorable Bouts
- Ezra Arenyeka (Nigeria) knocked out Ghana’s Frank Dodzi in the opening round of their super-middleweight bout.
- In a heated Agege vs Lagos grudge match, Oluwasegun “Bouncing” Mustapha outboxed Hammed “Eshe” Ganiyu, winning by unanimous decision over four rounds.
- Middleweight hopeful Michael Ani, fresh into the pro ranks, defeated Ugonna Emmanuel unanimously over four rounds in his debut fight.
- Victor Beneth’s twin counterpart Chimezie Onuoha earned a split-decision win over Tunde Azeez in the heavyweight category.
Energy and Entertainment: A Night to Remember
King of the Ring 2 transcended boxing alone—its vibrant mix of live musical performances and high-profile sports drew a larger-than-usual entertainment audience. The energy from crowd chants and featured artists made the night unforgettable The Guardian Nigeria+7The Street Journal+7THISDAYLIVE+7.
What It Means for Monarch Champions
- Local Flavor, Global Reach: Hosting such an event in Lagos cemented Monarch’s commitment to homegrown talent and international exposure.
- Building Fighters’ Brands: Emerging stars like Victor Beneth and Adijat Gbadamosi gained traction through solid performances on a major card.
- Cultural Fusion: Bringing music into a boxing card created a novel fan experience—an approach Monarch can replicate at future shows.
King of the Ring 2 was a milestone event for Monarch Champions, crossing sports and entertainment into a singular celebration of African boxing. With star performances, title-worthy bouts, and high production flair, it set the standard for future events—and established Lagos as the new epicenter of the continental fight scene.