Ghana’s WBO Africa Heavyweight champion Richard Harrison (13-1, 10 KOs) must defend his strap against Morris Okola of Kenya (10-2, 8 KOs) come Saturday the 24th of December 2018 at Bukom Boxing Arena.
The fight is being organised by one of Ghana’s creative promotional hubs, Cabic Promotions, headlined “Cabic Big Fight Night.”
Ghana’s sole heavyweight boxer at the moment Richard Nii Lartey Harrison, the champion, fights Kenya’s Morris Okola in a hugely anticipated blockbuster. At stake, his WBO Africa Heavyweight strap he won against Boniface Kabore of Burkina Faso on Saturday 11, August 2018 staged at the Bukom Boxing Arena via a 2nd round TKO.
But who is the Ghanaian fighting?
MORRIS OKOLA
Nicknamed “The Hercules”, Morris Okola made his debut seven years ago in 2011 by defeating James Nyariki (0-10) by points over four rounds.
The Kenyan southpaw went 3 consistent back to back victories against Joseph Ayieku, Robert Ochung, and James Nyariki again in a re-match.
Morris Okola finally tasted a doubled bounce of defeats to Issa Akberbayev (20-5,15KOs) a Kazakhstani and Ukranian Pavel Doroshilov in 2014.
In 2015, Morris Okola won the vacant Kenya Heavyweight Title against an opponent that he had already defeated twice, James Nyariki via a ninth round TKO in a ten rounder.
He defended his strap on three consecutive occasions. Morris Okola’s last fight was against a Malawian Alick Gogodo on February 18, 2017 via a devastating first round TKO.
The self styled “Hercules” is yet to fight again after that impressive victory which was by far his best.
With his 44rounds of boxing in 12 bouts plus a remarkable 67 percentage knockout ratio, Morris’s biggest flaw is the fact that he has being inactive for almost a year.
He is yet to fight a proven fighter that can box and brawl with incredible speed and agility like Ghana’s Richard Nii Lartey Harrison. In his two bout so far, the vast majority were against the same known opponents which he virtually cherry picked.
RICHARD NII LARTEY HARRISON
The Ghanaian made his pugilism debut in 2013 with a round 2 TKO win against Mukadi Olaide (0-7). He went ahead to record five consecutive victories by TKO’s
In December 2013, Harrison defeated Aduku Nsor (6-11) to win vacant Ghanaian Heavyweight Title. He later attempted the vacant World Boxing Council Youth Silver Heavyweight Strap in December 2014, but got defeated by Ergun Mersin(12-0,10 KOs) of Switzerland.
The last three fights of Richard Nii Lartey Harrison came via round 2 TKO’s against Boniface Kabore, Jones Quarshie and John Dugu respectively.
The Ghanaian heavyweight, Harrison Lartey, has so far fought 14 bouts and has a knockout ratio of 71percent in 76 rounds of boxing.
ANALYSIS
It is a must win fight if Harrison Nii Lartey’s ambitions of fighting for the world title is to materialize .He is currently ranked among the top 15 in the WBO world ratings released this month against a boxer who is yet to fight competitively for the past one year.
The Ghanaian is peaking at the right time after penning his signature with Cabic promotions and Management.
Morris Okola has failed in his two attempts against very credible opponents, resulting in his two defeats. He boxes well but finds it difficult against aggressive boxers that combine boxing and brawling.
Morris has the penchant to go for the body hooks and occasional release of counter punching.
The little details may define this fight but Harrison Lartey in terms of power punching is excellent with good stamina though he must work on his foot works.
It’s going to be a quick work for the Ghanaian.
PREDICTION
STRAIGHT VICTORY FOR RICHARD NII LARTEY HARRISON