PROFESSIONAL BOXING LEAGUE OPENS WITH A BANG!!!
The much anticipated, highly touted, aspiration laden Ghana Professional Boxing League eventually took off to a flying nascent premiering at The Bukom Boxing Arena, Africa’s MSG, on Saturday February 19, 2022 amidst massive pomp and pageantry … The league which returns after a sixteen year hiatus, has been in abeyance.It kept patrons and major players waiting with bated breath since even after it had been duly launched, there were a couple of postponements.
Before hostilities commenced, dignitaries present including Hon Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye- a former minister of sports, Mr Jihad Hijazi – CEO of Premium Motors, Chairman of IMAX Media Group- Mr Maxwell Tachie and the current Sports Minister – Hon. Mustapha Yusif took turns to laud the individuals and corporate bodies involved in this visionary caboodle. They greatly emphasized on its propensity to climax a certain renaissance in the Ghana Boxing Stratosphere.
Immediate past GBA capo – Legal luminary and technocrat , Peter Zwennes observed that although he had initiated procedures to get the Professional Boxing League underway, its ultimate fruition ought to be credited to the ingenuity and prowess of his successor Abraham Kotei Neequaye and his able team. Media icons Mohammed Amin Lamptey and Yaw Ampofo Ankrah partnered with finesse to deliver delectable coordination, interspersed with musical performances from King Jerry, Nii Funny and Klala.
The maiden event which witnessed a massive turnout never failed to live up to its billing.
The first bout saw highly experienced former WBO Africa titlist hand valiant debutant Isaac Taylor a unanimous points defeat over six rounds… After an early scare from Taylor, Sackey settled in, and took his foe apart masterfully in the ensuing rounds. Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie and Dorissa thrilled fans present with scintillating displays, intermittently drawing applause from the vociferous crowd to the admiration of Hon Yusif and Hon Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye who took turns to dole out cash to the two juvenile boxers.
Then came Emmanuel Dekeh edging Michael Osunla by split decision in their Light Heavyweight duel.
Adam Hab Deen Salanon did a quick work on Daniel Otoo, dispatching the latter in just two rounds in their Flyweight encounter.
John Quaye got his opponent Stephen Addy perplexed with his unorthodox style, winning on points in a Super lightweight contest .
Another Super lightweight fray between Azumah Mohammed and Patrick Cudjoe ended in the first round with Azumah emerging the victor.
In the final bout of the evening, Michael Tagoe squared up against Alexis Kabore in a Super Bantamweight contest. In an all out war from the opening round, both pugilists stood toe to toe exchanging heavy leather.But the bout ended abruptly after the sixth round of the scheduled eight when Michael Tagoe suffered a shoulder dislocation, enabling Kabore clinch the win via TKO.
In what was an exhilarating opening night of the Ghana Professional Boxing League, Prince Larbie of Will Power Gym emerged the best boxer in the juvenile category taking home a standing fan donated by TCL while Emmanuel Dekeh making his debut annexed the coveted best boxer of the night accolade winning a 32 inch flat screen television set. Drowned in tremulous drumming, singing and dancing from the Ghana Boxing Supporter’s Union, creating a perfect ambience for boxing, the first night can be adjudged a massive success… Guess your palate is titillated in earnest anticipation of subsequent editions.
STORY BY:
SAM NANA GOLD
ABOUT THE WRITER
SAM NANA GOLD ( OPOKU AMOAH) IS A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL, A TUTOR A BOXING CONNOISSEUR. HE RUNS THE SAMGOLD REMEDIAL INSTITUTE AND ALSO WORKS WITH THE GHANA BOXING AUTHORITY AS A RING ANNOUNCER.
