Chaos in the Ring: Dr. Ezekiel Adamu Sets Nigeria on Course to Become a Global Boxing Capital

Nigeria’s boxing landscape is undergoing a historic transformation — and at the centre of this seismic shift is promoter, entrepreneur, and Balmoral Group CEO, Dr. Ezekiel Adamu. In an exclusive interview with The African Fighters, Dr. Adamu opened up about his journey, his vision for African combat sports, and the ambitious plans behind the upcoming Chaos in the Ring event scheduled for December 19, 2025 at Eko Atlantic, Energy City.

The interview revealed a man driven not simply by business ambition, but by a mission: restoring Nigeria’s boxing culture, building a global-standard fight ecosystem, and inspiring a new generation of African champions.

A Vision Rooted in Legacy and Purpose

Born and raised largely in the UK, Dr. Adamu explained that his ties to Nigerian sport run deep. His father was a major figure in Nigerian sports administration for over two decades, overseeing iconic moments like Nigeria’s 1994 World Cup qualification and the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal victory over Brazil.

This foundation shaped his commitment to sports development.

“I grew up in a family where sports was everything,” he said. “Coming back home, I knew I wanted to build something that would outlive me.”

Building Nigeria’s Modern Boxing Era

Dr. Adamu is not new to creating large-scale experiences. Through Balmoral Group, he has orchestrated some of Nigeria’s biggest concerts and events, from Wizkid and Burna Boy to Cardi B’s Lagos performance.

“Boxing is another show — just a more detailed one,” he explained with a smile.

But Chaos in the Ring isn’t just entertainment; it’s a movement.

The October 1st Independence Day event delivered a landmark broadcast on DAZN, complete with stadium-level lighting, LED walls, a festival atmosphere, and heavyweight action rarely seen on African soil. The production quality shocked even local officials.

For December, the ambition is even bigger.

Why Eko Atlantic? “We Create Space Where There Is None.”

When asked about the decision to move the fight from Mobolaji Johnson Arena to Eko Atlantic, Dr. Adamu’s response was firm:

“Balmoral is known for bringing space where there is no space. Eko Atlantic is the most premium, safest location in Lagos. And we intend to turn it into a world-class fight arena.”

Dr. Adamu revealed that his team has previously built entire amusement-style parks inside Eko Atlantic in just weeks — making a boxing setup well within their capabilities.

December 19 Fight Card: “Glitz. Glamour. War.”

While several matchups will be revealed gradually, Dr. Adamu confirmed the key stars appearing at the event:

Main Event

• Lawrence Okolie (opponent TBA)

Co-Main Event

• David Adeleye vs Patrick Korte

Featured Fighters

• Taiwo Agbaje

• Basit Adebayo

• Yusuf Adeleji

• Elizabeth Oshoba

• Rahim “Bado” (16 years old, 16-0)

• JoJo, a rising female star already feared by seasoned fighters

Dr. Adamu describes JoJo as “a superstar waiting to explode,” noting that even experienced fighters are declining to face her.

This diversity of talent — from heavyweights to young prospects — reflects Balmoral’s broader strategy of building an African talent ecosystem.

On Anthony Joshua vs Jake Paul: “I’ll Still Be Watching.”

With Anthony Joshua and Jake Paul scheduled to fight on the same day as Chaos in the Ring, speculation around conflict or competition naturally arose.

Dr. Adamu was clear:

“We can’t afford Netflix money yet. And AJ is Nigerian — we want him to come home. The timing isn’t a problem. I will finish my event and still watch AJ knock Jake Paul out.”

He reaffirmed that discussions to bring Anthony Joshua to Nigeria are ongoing, with early 2026 previously identified as a possible window.

The Mindset Problem in Nigerian Boxing

One of the most revealing parts of the interview came when discussing local Nigerian boxers.

“They stopped dreaming,” Dr. Adamu said bluntly. “They haven’t had a platform for years. Psychology is 80% of becoming a world champion. Their mindset was capped.”

Chaos in the Ring, he says, is designed to break that ceiling — exposing fighters to international standards and competition.

This includes not just fighters, but coaches, referees, commentators, and production staff.

2026: Six Mega-Events + Rwanda Expansion

Dr. Adamu made a major announcement during the conversation:
Balmoral Boxing will host six events in 2026 — four in Lagos and two elsewhere in Africa.

Kigali, Rwanda has already been confirmed as one of the destinations.

“This is not just a Nigerian thing. It’s an African thing,” he said.

Celebrity fight nights, cross-border collaborations, and a world title fight in Nigeria are all on the roadmap.

The Ultimate Goal: A Full African Boxing Ecosystem

Dr. Adamu emphasised repeatedly that boxing flourishes only when the entire ecosystem grows — promoters, media, creators, fans, gyms, and fighters.

He compared the future African ecosystem to the UK model, where IFL TV, Boxing King Media, and creators form an essential part of the sport’s culture.

“You are a major stakeholder,” he told The African Fighters. “We need platforms like yours for this to become what it is meant to be.”

What to Expect on December 19

In closing, Dr. Adamu promised the Lagos crowd and global viewers one thing:

“Glitz. Glamour. War.”

With heavyweight collisions, rising stars, a premium venue, and global broadcast visibility, Chaos in the Ring is shaping up to be more than an event — it’s becoming a symbol of Africa’s resurgence in global boxing.

For tickets: Onboard.com
Stream worldwide: DAZN