High expectations surrounded Ghana’s promising prospect, Alfred Lamptey, as he entered the ring in Abu Dhabi, but those aspirations were dashed as he suffered the first defeat of his professional career. Lamptey faced Morocco’s Jaouad Belmehdi in the headlining event at the Yas Links Golf Course, with Belmehdi securing a surprising split decision victory after ten hard-fought rounds.

The unexpected loss has sent shockwaves through the Ghanaian community, especially given the perceived lower stature of Lamptey’s opponent. Belmehdi, relatively unknown in the boxing world, was considered by many as a stepping stone for Lamptey’s career progression. However, the judges’ scores revealed a split decision, with two cards favoring Belmehdi at 96-94 and one judge scoring 97-93 in Lamptey’s favor.

In the aftermath of the bout, Belmehdi expressed satisfaction with his performance but dismissed the lone scorecard in Lamptey’s favor as a “scandal.” The fight itself was marked by intense moments, with Belmehdi displaying resilience and countering Lamptey’s attacks effectively.

Despite Lamptey’s coach, Colin Nathan, urging him to stay calm and stick to the game plan, the match remained closely contested. Lamptey experienced moments of success, especially with right hands and left hooks, but Belmehdi’s tactics and accurate shots kept him in the fight.

The climax of the bout saw both fighters engaging in a scrappy exchange, with Lamptey demonstrating determination but ultimately succumbing to fatigue. Belmehdi’s confidence and swagger, coupled with impactful shots in the ninth round, contributed to his eventual victory.

With this defeat, Lamptey’s record now stands at 13-1 (9 KOs), while Belmehdi improves to 20-1-3 (9 KOs), with his only loss coming against Irishman Gary Cully in 2022. The upset in Abu Dhabi adds an unexpected twist to Lamptey’s promising career, prompting a reassessment of his future plans in the boxing world.