Referee Adon Betin’s decision to stop the WBO Africa junior featherweight title fight between the hitherto undefeated champion, Isaac Sackey aka ‘Golden Eagle’ (now 22-1-1, 19 KOs) and also undefeated countryman, Wasiru ‘Gyata Bi’ Mohammed (now 12-0, 10 KOs) in round 3 after a mix up of punching favoured Mohammed’s powerful right hand which sent Sackey to the canvas.
When Sackey got up to continue the fight, the Benin referee waved that the fight was over, and turned what was supposed to be a night of celebrating two of Ghana’s rising boxing stars into a near bloodbath as Sackey’s team and supporters vented their spleen amid creating chaos and disorder which brought proceedings to an abrupt end Saturday night at the Bukom boxing arena.
Wasihu Mohammed was in control of the fight winning the opening two rounds, and appeared to have finally got the measure of Isaac Sackey barely a minute into round 3 when he cornered the champ, caught him with a vicious hook to the chest which rattled Sackey and was quickly followed by a devastating uppercut which sent Sackey down for the first time in his career. Sackey fell with a bang, the back of his head thumping to the canvas yet he rose as quickly as he had fallen, but referee Betin had already waived off the fight even without counting.
Incensed at losing their unbeaten record and WBO Africa title in what they perceived to be a manner they reckon was unfair from the referee, the corner of Sackey rushed into the ring to attack the Beninois ring official which was followed by security men and fans of both boxers also joining in the ensuing melee of clashes, disorder and destruction of facilities inside the Sports Emporium Hall of the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
Such was the chaos and lack of adequate security and safety that everybody scrambled for an escape route out of the venue including the WBO officials, supervisors, ring officials, Ghana Boxing Authority executives and even the boxers.
In the midst of the chaos, there were verbal exchanges even among the officials and that was not a pleasant scene. One executive member of the GBA, Rabon Dodoo who has been a boxer before was bold to confront the referee to tell him what he did was wrong.
It indeed was a night of shame as everyone went home without an official declaration and coronation of the winner and fight fans now await communication from the powers that be on what is the official verdict and decisions regarding the WBO Africa junior featherweight championship.
In other fights on the undercard of the E&J Promotions bill, Kofi Johnson overcame the huge height advantage of Daniel Ehizuoje to dominate and pummel his opponent in their super middleweight contest.
Eric Quarm also scored the first stoppage win of his career following a round two TKO verdict over Daniel Akornu.
Even before the GBA and WBO Africa takes a decision, fans have called for a rematch Sackey Wasiru and it looks like that would be the best for fairness in the sport.