American Ghanaian Eslih Owusu was the star of the Fight Ready / Errol Hawk Boxing Promotion which took place on Thursday night at the Seconds Out Gym and he proved to be a real power puncher on his Ghana debut scoring a third-round TKO win over veteran Benjamin Ankrah aka ‘Congo Soldier’.
Owusu (3-0, 1 KO) indeed put up a good show as he was never intimidated by Ankrah (17-24, 8 KOs), as he dished out body shots, deadly hooks and cuts which forced Ankrah to surrender in the middle of the third.
The fight headlined a six-bout on the card which was organized by Fight Ready Promotions with the support of Errol Hawk and the Bronx Boxing Gym.
“He was taking a lot of shots from me and not going down,” Owusu told the media “He is a very tough fighter and I have to give him the credit for that.”
Even so, Owusu’s left hand proved too strong for his opponent.
The 20 years old Owusu wasted no time in the second, launching a series of power punches at Ankrah. The latter responded with a big right to the chin which nearly sent Owusu down. Instead, he kept his composure, concentrating his attack on Ankrah’s ribcage to close out the frame.
“Ankrah was taking the head punches without any trouble so I told Owusu to focus on the body,” said former WBA world welterweight champion, Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey, who was in the corner of the America-based boxer together with Okoe Odamtten.
That advice from Quartey began paying dividends for the 20-year-old southpaw shortly after the start of the third. A series of shots downstairs made Ankrah abruptly wave the white flag.
Daniel Oko Odamtten praised his ward saying “Owusu is a very good fighter and he showed it here. He is just going to get better by the years”.
Owusu has plans for one more fight in Ghana before leaving for the U.S.
“I can’t wait to be fighting more here in Ghana,” Owusu exclaimed. “I really admire the atmosphere and I hope it gives me more wins.”
On the undercard, undefeated improving super lightweight Faisal Abubakar stopped Francis Mensah in two rounds while deafly Jacob Dickson earned a first-round KO over John Duku in their cruiserweight contest.
Welterweight Moses Lartey lost by KO to Jacob Laryea in the opening round; and Solomon Martey beat Isaac Okine via third-round stoppage.
Richman Ashiley made his ring comeback following a 10-month lay off with a four-round KO over Enoch Lamptey in lightweight action.
Coach Carl Lokko commended all the boxers and officials for complying with the Covid-19 protocols and ensuring a successful event.
By Sammy Heywood Okine