Undefeated Nigerian boxer, Taiwo ‘Esepo’ Agbaje, has taken a major step in his professional journey after signing a promotional contract with Balmoral Promotions, the company behind the popular Chaos in The Ring boxing series.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, June 10, is regarded by the 19-0 lightweight champion as the biggest breakthrough of his boxing career.
Agbaje, who currently holds the WBA Africa lightweight title following his unanimous decision victory over Tosin “Sojar Boy” Osaigbovo in April, now joins one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing boxing promotions as he continues his pursuit of global recognition.
The Mushin-born fighter, widely known by his street nickname “Esepo,” said the partnership gives him the opportunity he has long desired.
“I feel so good, I can’t lie. I feel good because this is the type of deal I have been looking for in my life and I believe that Balmoral Promotions is the best promotion in Nigeria. This is the line that I know if I climb, I will become a world champion because this is the space where there are many opportunities for me,” Agbaje said.
“I have been all over the world but Balmoral are set to make me a king in Nigeria so I can dictate my terms now and get what I am worth out there. This is a great deal for me.”
Balmoral Promotions chief executive officer Ezekiel Adamu described the signing as part of a long-term plan, noting that Agbaje perfectly fits the organisation’s vision for boxing in Nigeria.
“Taiwo represents everything we’re trying to build here with Balmoral Promotions and Chaos in The Ring. He has talent, he’s disciplined, he’s authentic, and his deep connection with the people is actually what we’re doing. What we’re trying to do is simply build a platform that showcases him on a global level,” Adamu said.
“Taiwo is a very disciplined fighter. What happens in the ring is just 10 per cent of all Taiwo is. As you can see already, Taiwo has a deep connection with the streets. The people love him, especially the ordinary people, and what we are building here is to get the sport to the ordinary people.”
According to Adamu, the promotion had monitored Agbaje’s development for a long time before finalising the deal.
“We didn’t just pick on Taiwo to sign him now. He’s someone we’ve been watching for a while and he’s been part of our story for a long time now. The time is just right. The people chose him. He’s the people’s champion and he’s coming to the biggest platform in the whole of Africa. It’s beautiful,” he said.
Adamu also revealed that Balmoral Promotions is preparing to expand beyond organising fights, with plans focused on talent development and international exposure for African boxers.
“Balmoral Promotions and Chaos in The Ring is getting to the next phase, which is talent development, media and global visibility. Normally, a few people travel out of the country and then get their visibility. What we’re trying to build here is to get this talent to have visibility here in Africa — a factory where not just Taiwo, but different talents back to back, can have that global visibility and be paid the same amounts they would earn abroad,” Adamu said.
“We are looking to build a gym in Mushin because we know Mushin is the home of champions. We are looking to use this as a factory to bring up a lot more champions.”
The announcement sparked celebrations across Mushin, where residents hailed Agbaje’s rise from the streets of Lagos to becoming one of Nigeria’s brightest boxing stars.
Community members said his achievement would inspire more young people to embrace boxing as a viable profession.
In addition to his WBA Africa lightweight belt, Agbaje also holds the WBF Intercontinental featherweight title and previously won the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy as the best boxer at GOtv Boxing Night.
The unbeaten fighter has openly declared his ambition to become a three-division Nigerian champion across featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight categories, and has already initiated the process with the relevant authorities.
Now backed by Balmoral Promotions and carrying an unblemished record of 19 victories, Agbaje believes his dream of becoming a world champion is firmly within reach.
