“We have no option but to refund monies” – BOX Office Promotions boss

Box Office Promotions say they are in the dark about Ayittey Powers’ decision to pull out of the much-hyped April 18 bout.

Promoter of the fight, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, said that he had received calls concerning the matter but nothing official had reached him or his outfit.

In an interview on Power FM’s PSIM, Boakye talked about the repucursions of Ayittey’s action.

“We are not going to take it lightly. This is a fight that is going to be big for Ghana boxing, not only for my company but the industry as a whole. We have spent a lot of money and resources into this fight. We are importing rings from outside the country. There have been a lot of commercials on TV and radio, a lot of publicity for this fight.

“We have even paid commitment fees for this fight. Contracts have been signed. It will be very bad. But we are waiting to hear from him officially.”

Asked whether the signed contracts contained anything that dictates what to do if one of the fighters pulls out. “There’s a clause in the contract. But it will be determined by the GBA. You have to present to them the facts and they weigh it.

“If you’re still not happy, you can then send it to the law court to seek redress.”

“If this fight doesn’t come off, we would have no option but to refund the monies.”

 

“It’s God who said I should not fight” – Ayittey Powers

After a nearly a year of hyping up the fight, Ayittey Powers has decided to pull out of the April 18 fight with Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko.

The news broke on Thursday morning and generated a lot of reaction from the general public, especially on social media.

Speaking on Power FM’s PSIM, Ayittey Powers explained his reason for the shocking decision.

“Boss, it’s not that I pull out or I ran away. The thing is, I can’t do things on my own. The fight is next month. So I had to travel and go and get prayers from my Godfather. [sic]

“And when I got there, my Godfather let me know that I don’t have to fight next month. Unless they can postpone it. If not, then I can’t fight.

“So if people are saying that maybe I ran away, me, I don’t do things on my own. I’m just looking at God. So if God says that I should not fight on the 18th, and I let them know and they’re saying whatever they want to say, I don’t have problem about that.

“I can’t fight next month. Yeah.”

When asked when he would prefer to fight, he said, “From next two months, next three months, I don’t care. But as for next month, I can’t. They can put the fight another time, but not next month.

“As for me, I want to fight. But God said I should hold on. Next month can’t favour me. I can’t fight next month.

“It’s not that I’m sick or something o… I don’t have problem. But I said it’s God who said that. So people should understand me.”

It is uncertain whether this announcement is a plot to generate even more hype around the fight, which is actually what is happening. The fight has been much touted as the biggest ever to be staged in Ghana due to the expectation around it.

On Monday, organisers Box Office Promotions announced that over 3,000 tickets were sold within the first hour of release.

 

Joshua Clottey demands Sports Minister to fulfill boxing gym promise

Former IBF Welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey, has sent out a message to the Youth and Sports Minister. His message is short: live up to your promise.

Youth and Sports Minister, Elvis Afryie Ankrah, had said that government will construct a modern boxing gym of international standard in due course to enable the nation’s boxers train adequately and professionally, and to host international boxing bouts.

Mr Afriyie Ankrah made these commitments on his recent tour of some boxing gyms in the Greater Accra Region to familiarise himself with state of the gyms that produced the likes of legendary Azumah Nelson, David Kotey Poison, Ike Quartey and Joshua Clottey.

Joshua Clottey, who spoke passionately, said that the boxing community are waiting eagerly to see this dream come to reality.

“On his last tour, the Sports Minister promised he would build gymnasiums. I just want him to live up to his promise. Because we have heard this so many times.

“Most of the other regimes made the same promise and have failed to deliver.

“So my only message to the minister is that we have heard the promise and we hope he lives up to his word.”

 

April 11, 2013

 

Melendez in Accra for Agbeko fight

The much awaited historic fight between Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko and Columbian Luiz Melendez will come up on March 22 at the Accra Sports stadium, when they fight for the IBO Bantamweight title.

And the opponent is in town. He touched down at the Kotoka International Airport on Monday and he was up and ready to go.

“I’ve prepared for this fight since December. I’ve gone through training. I’m very ready for the bout,” Melendez said through an interpreter.

“I know Agbeko, he’s a very strong boxer. He’s a one-time World Champion. But I’m prepared to take him on. Like I said, he is strong, but I’ll see how I can also win.”

– Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko

Ghanaian Bantamweight boxer, Joseph Agbeko, will go into the fight on the back of a 15-month lay-off after losing a world title to Abner Mares.

“This fight is very important to me not because I am fighting a world championship but because I am fighting in front of my home crowd. I disappointed them the last time outside Ghana and it will be very shameful to disappoint Ghanaians in front of them, so this fight means a lot to me,” Agbeko said to Peace FM.

 

Posted on March 19, 2013

 

Sports Minister garners support for Ghana boxing

Newly appointed Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, has called for support from business institutions and personalities to help upgrade the state of Ghana’s Gyms.

He was speaking on one of his tours around places related to his ministry and was at one of Accra’s gyms. He said that since the Government cannot do it all, the onus lies on corporate institutions to do their bit in promoting the sport.

“I would like to use this platform to call on corporate Ghana, since they have a very big role to play in supporting the sport of boxing,” he said.

“There are people out there who have what it takes within them to turn our gyms into very ultra-modern ones.”

The Minister promised that anyone who helped upgrade the gym would have their names remembered for a long time.

“The person will be immortalised forever if they are able to turn our sports facilities around.  I want to call on corporate Ghana and philanthropists all over. Let’s come to Macedonia.

“People have come out of this place (the gym) out of nothing and have become great champions. Let’s come and give them the necessary support.

“And whoever does that would have his name immortalised in the annals of Ghana sports.”

 

Posted on March 8, 2013

 

Joshua Clottey: Agbeko can be World Champ again

Former Welterweight Champion of the World, Joshua Clottey, has thrown his support behind Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko in his upcoming championship fight.

Agbeko will be fighting Columbian Luis Melendez on March 8 at the Accra Sports stadium for an IBO Bantamweight title.

And Joshua ‘Grand Master’ Clottey says that the home support will help spur Agbeko on to victory.

“No matter what the opponent will do, the Ghanaian has to win this fight. Because this is a title fight in Ghana,” Joshua said, speaking to Joy FM.

“Fans have to go to the stadium to support him because it’s been a very long time since a title fight has been fought in Ghana.

“There are very positive signs that he’s going to win the title. I’m very sure that he’s ready for the fight. I’m 100% sure that Agbeko is going to win.”

Agbeko has an impressive fight record of 28 wins but has been inactive since failing to snatch the IBF and WBC Silver Bantamweight titles from Mexican-American Abner Mares in December 2011.

Joshua, who became champion about a year after Agbeko in 2008, believes that Agbeko can get back to the top of the pack.

“He already has powerful punch ability. Because if you watch Agbeko’s fights, he always throws good shots. He just has to add more punches. When you throw about four combinations, it’s going to be very effective,” he said.

 

Posted on February 20, 2013

 

‘Bukom Banku’ extends winning streak

– Victorious Bukom Banku

The much anticipated fight night dubbed ‘Ghana for Peace’ came on successfully, on Saturday December 1.

The headlining fight between Braimah Kamoko, aka Bukom Banku, and Tanzanian Pascal Ndomba ended with Bukom Banku coming out victorious.

‘Bukom Banku’, who moved to the Light Heavyweight division, fought Pascal Ndomba in a Cruiserweight division fight.

The fight ended when Ndomba refused to continue the fight, a few seconds into the seventh round. This happened after the referee cautioned him for clutching onto Braimah Kamoko. Ndomba took out the mouth guard from his mouth and refused to continue the fight, thereby leaving Kamoko with the win, a WBO Cruiserweight champion.

Bukom Banku has always been a showman, and he sure did not pick Saturday to stop ‘showing’.

His entry into the ring was and will remain a topic on the lips of boxing fans for some time to come.

The best was to describe his entry is to say he mimicked the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, but with a political twist. He had on a wig with a loin cloth around his waist. And he was carried on a wooden cross with a poster of NDC Presidential Candidate, President John Mahama, on it.

– Bukom Banku making his entry

Another fight which promised to be exciting was the bout between Fredrick Lawson and Argentine Miguel Bario Nuevo for the WBO Youth World Championship in the Welterweight division. But after the Argentine failed to turn up, Mohammed Tagoe was brought up as a replacement. Lawson eventually won the fight, beating Tagoe by a Technical Knockout (TKO) in the second round.

– Frederick Lawson after his second round TKO over Mohammed Tagoe

Samuel Amoako was also billed to face off with Kenyan David Kiilu for the WBO Africa Lightweight championship. The Kenyan also failed to turn up and was replaced by Charles Tetteh. Amoako won the fight with a 5^th-round TKO over Tetteh.

– Samuel Amoako after his fifth round TKO Charles Tetteh

Joshua ‘Bukom Tsatsu’ Okine was also billed to face Nigerian Dodo Akim in a 10-round International Light Middleweight contest. Dodo also failed to turn up but his replacement, however, was a Nigerian, Ekpeyong Basey.

– Joshua Okine, after his 3rd round TKO over his Nigerian opponent, Ekpeyong Basey

Ahmed Saraku also faced a similar fate when Sulley Olagbade of Nigeria failed to turn up for their 8-round Super Middleweight contest. Alaba Okusoteof Nigeria replaced Olagbade but lost to Saraku after five rounds.

– Ahmed Saraku, defeated Alaba Okusote of Nigeria in 5 rounds

The other fight between Isaac Aryee and Gideon Agbosu saw Aryee winning by a unanimous points decision over eight rounds, with scores 79-74,80-73, 79-73.

 

Posted on December 4, 2012

 

‘Ghana for Peace’ fight night on December 1

– Braimah Kamoko aka Bukom Banku

Golden Mike Promotions who have in the past staged great fight nights are bringing another one.

The event is aptly christened ‘Ghana for Peace’ and it is billed to come off on the 1^st of December.

The headlining fight will be that between Braimah Kamoko, aka Bukom Banku, and Tanzanian Pascal Ndomba.

‘Bukom Banku’ has moved from the Light Heavyweight division, and these two boxers will be doing battle in the Cruiserweight division.

Another fight which promises to be exciting will be the bout between Fredrick Lawson and Argentine Miguel Bario Nuevo for the WBO Youth World Championship in the Welterweight division.

Mike Tetteh, CEO of Golden Mike Promotions explained the reason for the name of the event.

“We called it ‘Ghana for Peace’ so that we can drum home the need for peaceful elections,” he said.

“We want to educate people, to know that after casting you votes, you go home and wait for the announcement after 5pm, over the media. There is no need to wait around the polling station.

“We need peace in Ghana.” he concluded.

The event will see some other bouts set to bring excitement.

Samuel Amoako will face off with Kenyan David Kiilu for the WBO Africa Lightweight championship.

Joshua ‘Bukom Tsatsu’ Okine will also face Nigerian Dodo Akim in a 10-round International Light Middleweight contest.

Ishmael Aryeetey and Razak Nettey will also battle for the National Featherweight championship.

Ahmed Saraku will face Sulley Olagbade of Nigeria in an 8-round Super Middleweight contest.

The event will be staged at the inner car park of the Accra Sports Stadium on 1^st December. Ringside tickets go for Gh¢30 and the popular stand for Gh¢10.

 

Posted on November 21, 2012

 

Emmanuel Tagoe defeats George Ashie to win WBA International Lightweight title

– Emmanuel Tagoe aka Game Boy (Daily Guide)

The much anticipated WBA International Lightweight title fight between George Ashie aka Red Tiger and Emmanuel Tagoe aka Game Boy went down on Saturday evening.

And Emmanuel Tagoe came out victorious, beating his opponent by majority decision in front of almost 7,000 boxing fans and enthusiasts.

This reporter was heckled by security men at the gate and was refused entry into the inner perimeter, despite adequate clearance.

But he managed to get the results from the various fights on the night.

Emmanuel Tagoe, who happens to be Azumah nelson’s protégé, won a tough majority decision, 114-114, 113-115, 112-116 which fans of George Ashie did not take too kindly.

Emmanuel Tagoe, who now has 20 wins, is aiming for a world title shot.

He spoke to Joy FM: “I have been looking forward to this title for a very long time and I’m glad to have finally found it. This is just the beginning of greater things to come. The world title is my next target. I encourage ‘Baby Jet’ to bring bigger names and I promise I will drag them in the mud.”

Asamoah Gyan thanked the fans for putting up good behaviour and he promises more of such big fights.

“Today, we all saw what happened. For the past years, something like this has never happened in Ghana.

“I would like to thank the fans. Because before we even came, we were expecting fights. Although we warned them not to fight, we didn’t believe that they wouldn’t.

“At the end, the champion emerged, everything turned out successful. We promise you, in the near future, we will bring another exciting fight.”

In other supporting bouts, Raymond Commey won the West African and National Super Bantamweight title after knocking down Emmanuel Quartey 2:50s into the 10^th round.

Abraham Osei Bonsu beat Michael Pappoe by a unanimous decision in the Featherweight contest.

Isaac Owusu also defeated Camara Deen Boifio in a TKO to win the Super Bantamweight contest.

– Ambassador Ray Quarqoo (GABF President)

The event was graced by many big names including the Honourable Minister for Sports, Hon. Kofi Humado, the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation president, Ambassador Ray Quarqoo.

The event also saw former WBA Welterweight champion Ike “Bazooka” Quartey, and many moer others.

Ike “Bazooka” Quartey, former WBA Welterweight champion

– Ike Quartey with Ambassador Ray Quarqoo

 

Posted on November 12, 2012

 

Confusion nearly mars Baby Jet Promotions fight night

– An ensuing melee at the main gate of the Accra Sports stadium

The maiden promotion for Baby Jet Promotions, owned by Ghana’s Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan, was held successfully on Saturday evening at the Accra Sports Stadium.

But not before some pockets of incidents of near-violence occurred at the ticketing gates.

– Fans outside the main gate

– Security men in a tussle with some fans

This reporter was heckled by security men at the gate and was refused entry into the inner perimeter, despite adequate clearance.

One security personnel, even threatened to use a taser on this reporter.

– Security man wielding a Taser (circled)

Granted, there were a number of rowdy fans at the main entrance of the stadium attempting to enter without a ticket. But a number of fans also showed their tickets to this reporter complaining that they had been refused entry. The official numbers put the turnout of fans to the event grounds at about 7,000 but this reporter can confirm that over a thousand more fans were at the various gates, unable to enter.

When the headlining fighters arrived with their entourage, they were held behind the gates for nearly 30 minutes before sanity was restored and the motorcade were allowed through.

A violent scene nearly turned fatal when one security personnel (in camouflage uniform, believed to be a military man) hit the head of one fan with a stick. A melee ensued between the unidentified victim, his cohorts and some of the security personnel. But thankfully, it died down before any further incidents occurred.

Some dignitaries were also held up behind the main gate for over 20 minutes. When this reporter sought to find out the reason, it was revealed that one of the security men had locked the gate, left with the key and could not be reached.

Eventually, the cars of Ambassador Ray Quarqoo, Ike Quartey and other dignitaries managed to enter the grounds.

Following many attempts to enter the event grounds, but to no avail, said reporter left the stadium.

At the time of leaving the venue, the Sports Minister was now making his way through to enter the venue after several minutes of waiting.

Organisation at the gates for this event was woeful. The many reports of security personnel manhandling fans at sports venues was again witnessed on this night.

Thankfully, the event came out largely successful but we hope that the authorities in charge and organisers of such events will ensure a much better behaviour from the ‘security’ they employ at event venues

 

Posted on November 12, 2012