European athlete to compete in African Warriors’ Championship

Luke Leyland, a professional wrestler and boxer from Liverpool, United Kingdom, will compete with Garakuwar Bahagon Yansanda, a boxer from Plateau State, Nigeria, in the forthcoming African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), scheduled for Katsina Open Air Theatre, on January 13, 2024. According to the organisers of the event locally known as the King of Dambe, […]

Luke Leyland, a professional wrestler and boxer from Liverpool, United Kingdom, will compete with Garakuwar Bahagon Yansanda, a boxer from Plateau State, Nigeria, in the forthcoming African Warriors Fighting Championship (AWFC), scheduled for Katsina Open Air Theatre, on January 13, 2024.

According to the organisers of the event locally known as the King of Dambe, Leyland is the first European athlete to compete in Dambe.

Expressing delight, Leyland was quoted to have said: “I am thrilled to be in Nigeria, representing the UK in the ancient art of dambe. This marks a historic moment for the sport, and I am honoured to be part of it. I eagerly anticipate showcasing the skill and determination of UK fighters and proving our ability to compete in this incredible sport. I am coming to win. My goal is to knockout Yansanda and take the victory home to British soil. You do not want to miss this!”

In a statement on Monday, the organisers said the King of Dambe will also showcase top fighters drawn from the three dambe houses of Arewa (Jamus), Kudawa (Kudu) and Gurumada.

The main event will feature Alikawoji of House Gurumada vs Autan Danbunza of House Arewa. Other matches on the day include: Coronavirus of Kudu vs Sha’ike of Gurumada; Dan Yellow of Arewa vs Bahagon Mai Bulala of Gurumada; Autan Shagon Audu of Gurumada vs Dogon Messi of Arewa and Shagon Yellow of Gurumada vs Shagon Na Balbali of Kudu.

The entire event will also stream live on Kick.com via @africanwarriorsfc.

Founder of African Warriors Fighting Championship, Maxwell Kalu, said: “This marks an exciting chapter in dambe’s history. Luke’s participation highlights the global growth and recognition of dambe. We are looking forward to witnessing this groundbreaking fight and ready to welcome more international participants. Aside from Luke Leyland vs G.B Yansanda, we have an impressive card of fights featuring the very best dambe athletes that Nigeria has to offer.”