by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 18, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, Nigeria, Other Sports
Samuel Martei Laryea of Ghana secured a dominant victory over Nigeria’s Lukman Akinolugbade, stopping him in five rounds to win the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) Africa Super Bantamweight title. The bout, held at Akropong Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana, headlined the 2024 Odwira Fight Night event, titled “The Eastern Brawl,” at the forecourt of the Akropong Palace.
Laryea controlled the fight from the start, overwhelming his Nigerian opponent despite Akinolugbade’s early resistance. Speaking after his victory, Laryea credited his corner for advising a shift in tactics that led to a decisive body-focused attack. “I wasn’t surprised when he gave up. I knew the body shots were devastating,” Laryea said.
The event was sponsored by Oseadeeyo Kwesi Akuffo III, Omanhene of the Okuapeman Traditional Council. Other notable fights included Cann Kotey Neequaye, son of the Ghana Boxing Authority president, stopping Theophilus Tetteh, and Seth Gyimah, aka Freezy Macbones, defeating Marciano Commey in one round. Rising stars Bernard Abbey and Gabriel Coffie also claimed victories, alongside seasoned boxer Raymond Commey, aka Chorkor Banku.
The event was organized by Safe Box Promotions, led by young promoter Mubarak Nanor.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 18, 2024 | Boxing, International, Other Sports
Don Charles, the father and trainer of IBF heavyweight world champion Daniel Dubois, arrived in Accra on Thursday, October 17, for a special visit to Coach Lawrence Lokko’s Bronx Boxing Club. Upon his arrival at Kotoka International Airport, he was warmly greeted by Coach Lokko, boxing consultant Yoofi Boham, Bronx Gym CEO Sammy Amin Addo, and Hon. Nii Kotey Ashie, the aspiring MP for the Odododiodoo Constituency.
The welcoming group included boxers, trainers from the Bronx Gym, members of the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU), and media representatives. Charles, a Nigerian by birth, expressed his gratitude to the fans who turned out to welcome him, stating that he felt at home in Ghana and was proud to visit his ancestral homeland for the first time.
During his stay, Don Charles plans to visit the Bronx Boxing Gym, renowned for producing champions, on Friday afternoon and also engage with various media outlets. He shared his admiration for the passion of the Ghanaian boxing community and expressed his desire to support them.
Bronx Gym boasts several WBO Africa champions, including lightweight Sheriff Quaye, cruiserweight Jacob Laryea, featherweight John Laryea, and bantamweight Daniel Gorsh. The gym is also home to fighters like Stanley Nyantekyi, Jacob Dickson, African Games medalist Bukom Tilapia Kamoko, and Jon Zile.
Don Charles is expected to share his experience and knowledge with John Laryea, who will make his international debut in the USA on November 1, where he is set to fight Nicaragua’s Alexander Mejia.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 18, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Other Sports
Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, president of the African Athletics Confederation (CAA), has been elected as the inaugural president of the newly-formed African Olympic Sports Confederation (CASOL). This election took place during the general assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on October 12, 2024.
Alfred Foloko, president of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia (NOCZ), Bouchra Hajij, president of the African Volleyball Confederation (CAVB), and Joao da Costa Alegre, president of the Confederation of African Canoeing, were chosen as vice presidents.
CASOL was established to enhance support for African athletes aiming for the Olympic Games, addressing barriers to their participation and working closely with international organizations such as the IOC, ASOIF, and IFs. The organization will also contribute to the planning and hosting of the 2027 African Games in Cairo, Egypt.
Notable attendees included Mustapha Berraf, president of ANOCA, and other key figures in African sports. The Executive Committee laid out a roadmap for the next three months, focusing on securing recognition from international sports bodies and establishing CASOL’s administrative office in Yaoundé.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Other Sports
Ghana Revenue Authority’s Royal Ladies, the reigning champions of the Africa Hockey Federation Club Championship, are gearing up to defend their title at the upcoming tournament in Port Said, Egypt, from January 17 to 29, 2025. As four-time winners and the only Ghanaian team to claim the prestigious African title, the Royal Ladies aim to maintain their dominance after also securing victories in the Greater Accra Hockey League and the Oguaa Fetu Afahye hockey competition.
The men’s team, who finished second in the local league and triumphed at the T. Tommy tournament in Kumasi, will also compete, aiming for glory after their runner-up finish in the 2018 edition in Abuja.
Coach Ebenezer Frimpong expressed confidence in the women’s team’s preparations, noting their focus on balancing training intensity to ensure peak performance. Both teams are undergoing rigorous training through December to hone their strategies for the tournament.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Oct 17, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana, Other Sports
ACE Power Promotions (APP) has entered into a two-year partnership with Centre Point Mall in Accra to promote boxing and organize competitions aimed at developing grassroots talent. The agreement was formalized by APP’s General Manager, Isaac Amanwkwah, and Centre Point CEO, Bhagwan Asnani, who expressed a shared commitment to using boxing to empower youth and provide opportunities for young talent. Mr. Asnani, an avid boxing enthusiast, praised APP’s efforts to engage individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, promising to host future boxing events at Centre Point Mall.
APP plans to hold a minimum of three boxing events annually, starting with the ‘Street to Champions Fight Night’ on November 16. This event will showcase young, up-and-coming boxers, with winners receiving the opportunity to develop professionally and potentially compete for world titles.
