Emmanuel “Ability” Abimbola has issued a sharp warning to undefeated Sodiq “Smart Lion” Suleiman ahead of their light welterweight clash at GOtv Boxing Night 34, saying the younger fighter “will learn” when they meet on 26 December at Tafawa Balewa Square.

The eight-round contest pairs an unbeaten rising talent against one of the division’s most seasoned technicians. Suleiman, 21, enters with an undefeated four-fight record, while Abimbola, 23, has logged over 20 professional bouts and is a past winner of the Mojisola Ogunsanya Memorial Trophy for Best Boxer.

Abimbola dismissed the idea that Suleiman’s unbeaten status gives him any advantage. “He is confident because he has not faced someone like me,” he said. “I have been in tough fights. I know what to do. Smart Lion will learn the difference when the bell rings.”

Suleiman responded by saying the fight is his chance to prove that youth and hunger can overcome experience. “People talk about his record, but I am not here to be afraid of anybody,” he said. “I am young, I am undefeated, and I am ready to show why they call me Smart Lion. I want to win this clearly.”

Their matchup is one of several tightly balanced contests scheduled for GOtv Boxing Night 34: Jams Festival. 

Other bouts include the national lightweight clash between Segun “Odi” Gbobaniyi and Tobiloba “Smiling Assassin” Ijomoni; the super bantamweight meeting between Ezekiel “Touch” Seun and Toheeb “Full Tank” Hassan; and an eight-round lightweight bout featuring Sadam “Baby Boxer” Oladipupo against Imole “System” Oloyede.

GOtv Boxing Night 34: Jams Festival, organised by Flykite Productions, will take place on Boxing Day and will feature live music and entertainment alongside the night’s bouts.