Actor Tobi Bakre has said he spent a year training in boxing for his role in the 2026 film The Other Side of the Bridge.
In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Tobi spoke about the physical and mental demands of playing Farouk, a boxer. He said the preparation went beyond building his physique and required him to fully understand the discipline of the sport.
“I spent about a year training as a boxer. It wasn’t just about the body; I had to learn how to move, how to take a punch, and the discipline of the sport. For this movie, we wanted it to look real, so I had to live like a fighter for that whole year.”
The film, directed by Fiyin Gambo, opened in Nigerian cinemas on April 17 and follows the story of Farouk, a former teenage boxing champion who returns to the ring in a bid to save his trainer’s struggling gym. As he prepares for a high stakes fight, he faces a rival from a troubled background, forcing both men to confront their pasts while chasing a shot at a better future.
The Other Side of the Bridge features a cast that includes Mike Afolarin, Seun Ajayi, Teniola Aladese, Demi Banwo, Femi Branch, Ireti Doyle, Gbubemi Ejeye, Olarotimi Fakunle, William Benson and Taye Arimoro.
The film was written by Tamara Aihie and Emil Garuba and produced by Tolu Lordtanner.
Before the film’s release, Tobi in past interviews had said during press rounds that he wanted to move beyond being seen mainly as a reality TV personality and show his commitment to acting through demanding roles.
