Ahead of their African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight title bout, boxing fans have been giving their opinions on who they think will triumph between reigning champion, Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph, and West African Boxing Union (WABU) champion, Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu.

The bout, slated for 12 October at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium in Lagos headlines a festival of African boxing organised by a popular Pay Tv provider, has been provoking a lot of interest and debate among boxing fans on social media.

Both boxers are undefeated in their professional careers and have been involved in a long-running war of words which nearly boiled over on four occasions with both pugilists needing to be pulled apart after nearly coming to blows.

Their rivalry dates back to their amateur days and has followed them into the professional cadre with each viewing the other with no little degree of sporting animosity.

A boxing fan, Moses Adejoh Mansa, believes that Joe Boy is a better boxer and will retain his title.

“Joe Boy all the way. Any day. Any time,” he posted on a Facebook thread on the coming bout. Sharing the same sentiment is another fan, who identifies himself simply as Adeola. He is convinced that the ABU champion is more skillful and will win the fight.

However, many others are rooting for Real One.

Adetokun Abayomi Mike, for instance, admits that both boxers are very good, but tipped Real One to carry the day.

“I go for Real One. I know both boxers well, but power will change hands on that day,” he wrote. He found many others agreeing with his sentiment, with Oluwatobi Sunday, Martins Abiola and Oladunjoye Lateef Olawale both posting “Real One all the way.”

To others, the fight may be too close to call. Rising lightweight boxer, Isaac “I-Star” Chukwudi, is torn between the two boxers, who he described as his favourites on the domestic scene. He stated that if it was up to him, he would prefer that they do not meet at this stage in their careers.

“I never wanted this fight to happen now because both are the best we have in Nigeria. I was hoping that Joe Boy would vacate the African Boxing Union title for Real One, while he goes after a bigger title. I don’t want either to lose,” he said with barely disguised regret that they two have been paired.

Another Facebook user, Zeezo Reezo, is similarly in two minds and just wants to see the better boxer win. “Real One is good, but Joe Boy is a good puncher, so let the better man win,” he wrote.  

Joe Boy, a three-time winner of the best boxer award at the Boxing Night, is facing arguably his toughest opponent yet in Real One, who has also won the award on two occasions.