Abuja, Nigeria – June 28, 2025
Nigeria’s Dambe Boxing Goes Global, Kicks Off in Abuja
Nigeria’s centuries-old combat sport, Dambe, officially stepped onto the global stage as the Dambe World Series kicked off in Abuja, signaling a new era for traditional African martial arts.
The launch event, held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, drew thousands of spectators and featured intense, high-energy bouts between top Nigerian Dambe fighters and international challengers. The series is being organized by the African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), in partnership with global sports broadcaster DAZN.
Dambe, a traditional Hausa martial art once confined to local festivals, is now being broadcast to over 200 countries and territories through DAZN’s platform, with additional coverage from SuperSport, Trust TV, AIT, YouTube, and Facebook. The multi-event series aims to showcase the sport’s cultural roots while positioning it as a competitive global attraction.
AWFC founder Maxwell Kalu described the launch as a milestone not only for the sport but for African heritage. “Dambe is more than a fight it is our culture, our identity. We’re proud to share this heritage with the world,” he said.
Backed by international investors like Silverbacks Holdings, the Dambe World Series is also designed to create new economic opportunities for fighters and their communities. The initiative has received endorsements from Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts and Culture and the National Council for Arts and Culture, recognizing Dambe as a vital cultural export.
Senator John Enoh, Minister of Sports Development, praised the move, stating that, “This is a proud moment for Nigerian sport. We are exporting our identity to the world and giving young athletes a global platform.”
The Dambe World Series will feature five major events across 2025, culminating in a championship bout later in the year. Fighters like Nigeria’s Shagon Yellow, already gaining global recognition, are expected to headline key matchups.
With more than 900 million online views across AWFC platforms to date, the sport is already gaining traction among international audiences.
