Rilwan Lawal’s journey in boxing has been shaped by both his love for the sport and the unique circumstances of his upbringing. Growing up in Bariga, Lagos, he was motivated to learn how to fight, eventually using boxing as a means to support his family. His passion for the sport grew to the point where it became his professional path, despite the opportunity to enlist in the military.
His motivation to continue boxing stems from his enjoyment of the sport, which he refers to as a game of combat where victory or defeat is inevitable. He has represented Nigeria on several occasions, including at the African Amateur Boxing Championships in 2017, the African Military Championship, and the African Military Games, where he emerged victorious.
In terms of career decisions, Lawal prioritizes financial gain over legacy when asked whether he would choose to fight in Saudi Arabia for more money or in Europe for less money but with a title on the line. Despite his current focus on success, he believes his management will guide him toward making the right decision.
Lawal’s biggest achievement was being a WBC world contender and ranking among the top 23 fighters in the world. However, the saddest moment of his career was being knocked out in his fight against Taiwo Agbaje, a defeat that motivated him to bounce back stronger, with the intent to win every fight moving forward.
Although he enjoys his experiences in other countries like Dubai, which he describes as expensive but enjoyable, Lawal has not yet identified a favorite country to fight in, as he dreams of traveling around the world.
When it comes to his family, Lawal shares that his parents always supported his boxing journey, never discouraging him. As for his own children, he emphasizes that he wouldn’t force them into boxing, and while neither of them shows interest in the sport, he would support them if they did.
Lastly, although Lawal has been successful in coaching at a military competition, he doesn’t envision a future for himself as a boxing coach, acknowledging that being a successful fighter doesn’t necessarily translate to being a good coach.
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