Many are conversant with Bastir Samir, Bukom Banku’s only stopper, but do you know Issah Samir, his brother?
Issah Samir is a professional boxer just like his elder brother Bastir with a clean sheet of no defeat having won all his 19 fights with 16 by way of knockouts.
Issah Samir was born in 1989, in Accra and currently a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA and has high aspirations of winning a world title soon.
He narrates how his boxing career began when he was a kid together with his Snr brother Bastir.
“As a child, my career aspiration was to be a boxer. My father was a former boxer, he introduced my brothers and I into the sports. He developed a knee problem and that prevented him from advancing in the sport, hence he expected us to pick up from where he left off and make him proud.
“When I was six years old my father introduced me to his former trainer and coach, Coach Ofori Asare. I worked hard and earn a place in the national team. In 2010, I turned professional.”
The unbeaten middleweight world title prospect continued with some moments he’s gone through so far in his boxing journey.
“I have had several happy moments in my boxing career, but it mostly surrounds my achievements. The one thing that makes me sad is my inability to secure a world title fight yet.
“I believe I am accomplished in the sports. This is because I have excelled both at the amateur and professional level, with prospects of achieving more. Some of my achievements include winning Silver at the Olympic qualifiers in Namibia in the bantamweight division at the 2007 All African Games; a gold medalist at the Africa zone 3 championship; bronze at the African Championship in Mauritius; a 2008 Olympian; a former IBF Super Welterweight Youth World Champion and Ghana national and West African middle champion.”
He continued with acknowledgment to those who have been of help to him on his journey with the achievements he mentioned above.
“I did not achieve all these success on my own, that’s why I am grateful to the former Chief director of youth and sport Alhaji Abdullahi Yakubu, who also double as my uncle, my parents; Coach Ofori Asare, Papa Kerlmah and Mr. Don Odamitey, former Chief secretary. I am also grateful to Golden boy promotions for working with me in 2016 and I am grateful to Ghana and all my fans.”
Concluding on his journey so far, Issah Bastir made known what he’s eagerly waiting for next.
“I am currently waiting for a chance to fight for a world title.
Issah Samir is a cool and gentle guy who loves to learn, but when I am in the ring, I am not cool.”
Credit: Wisdom Boxing Gym