Daniel Otoo Wins National Super Bantamweight title after defeating Cann Neequaye
The much anticipated ‘Shi Shii Shi’ Fight Night organised by Power Punch and Legacy Rise Promotions which brought a very large crowd to the Bukom Boxing Arena to climax the celebrations of the 68th Independence Day of Ghana did not end well making boxing fans ask questions.
Some of the issues bothering the minds of lovers of the game are timing for commencement of bouts, some start after 10pm, ending, sometimes after 5am like yesterday’s show which had dignitaries like Sharaf Mahama, son of President John Mahama and top Nigeria musician, Patoranking in the house.
The number of fights on bills should be looked at, to cut it to a maximum of ten or 15 fights and most importantly the safety and security of everyone at the venue.
Yesterday for instance the referee for the main bout which started after 4am was hit with a bottle thrown from the stands.
An experienced Referee Shadrach Aquaye who is Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority had to climb down from the ring and never came back to save his precious life.
Fans had to leave by the Arena around 4.45am to 5am as the main bout between Henry Malm and Derrick Quaye ended abruptly.
The last bout featuring Daniel Gorsh could not come on, and it was a big blow to fans who had paid to watch the reigning in form WBO Africa Super Bantamweight Champion who is considered to be the current best boxer in Ghana.
Indeed the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) must answer why they have not learnt from previous incidents like the Ayitey Powers Promotions.
However on the show that the Arena was filled to the brim and overflowing with boxing enthusiasts, Faisal Abubakar retained his WBO Africa Super Lightweight title with a R4 TKO against Abdul Zugo.
Undefeated Kevin Abraham Carter (6-0) also got a taste of real action against ‘ Okada boy’ Korle Collison who could not return after five rounds of excitement.
In the fight of the night, Cann Neequaye, son of the GBA President lost for the first time to Bukom boy Daniel Otoo in a split decision.
Basit ‘Joker Boy’ Adebayor from Nigeria also won on points against Ghana’s Emmanuel Noi Mensah while rusty looking Jacob Dickson also carried the night.
Delali Miledzi was lucky to get a draw against an Ivorien Adama Kone.
Mawuli Folivi won the National Welterweight Championship to make his fans happy.
Kobina Amfo Kwakye from the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation recorded the fastest knock out.
On a positive note, Coach Vincent Akai Nettey proved to be a very good trainer, aiding Henry Malm aka ‘Assassin Junior’ to shut up all the noisy fans who had come to support Derrick Quaye aka ‘Show Love’.
One observation was that the people love the game so they must be respected and given a good deal, because like the Minister of Sports and Recreation Hon Kofi Adams said “Boxing is a treasure of the people of Ghana and it must be protected well”.
Yours Truly was assured of adequate security by the GBA President. Abraham Kotei Neequaye and again a bill could not end successfully. In fact it is a great worry for followers of the sport.
The Bukom Boxing Arena was filled to capacity and that shows people really love the sport so there must be discipline and boxing must be organised well.
By Sammy Heywood Okine