Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Banku v Bastie in make-or-break duel
A renowned boxing promoter, Alhaji Muritela Tofiq, says he expects a thrilling bout between undefeated pugilists, Brimah Kamoko, alias Bukom Banku, and Bastie “The Beast” Samir, as both boxers possess power punches.
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Alhaji Tofiq, who doubles as a member of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), refused to call the fight where in favour of either party, saying it was too close to call as both boxers undefeated.
“This is a fight I cannot predict because both boxers are undefeated, and are also power punchers. I expect a thrilling encounter on Saturday, and I know boxing lovers would love it,” he told the Graphic Sports yesterday.
“Banku comes in with much experience, but in boxing that doesn’t really count when you have two great boxers going up against each other,” he added.
The much-awaited bout between cruiserweights Banku and Bastie is set to take the country by storm tomorrow as the two boxers square off in style at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
After months of verbal war, Banku and Bastie will have the opportunity to market Ghana boxing to the rest of the world when they go head to head in a non-title cruiserweight challenge fight over 12 rounds.
Banku is the favourite as the more experienced boxer between the two, with an astonishing 29 wins in 29 fights in his professional career. Bastie, on the other hand, possesses 14 wins and a draw in 15 fights and comes up against an opponent who has been through a lot of wars in his career.
With both pugilists keen on winning on the night, Banku has promised to end the fight prematurely with a sixth-round knockout, having said on almost every platform that his opponent could not stand toe to toe with him for the entire duration.
However, Bastie, the underdog, in his quest to make history by ending Banku's invincibility in the ring, has vowed to win even if the bout travels the full distance.
Concerns have been raised over Banku's weight, with Bastie's camp, led by trainer Ofori Asare calling on him to make the cruiserweight class since that was in the contract.
In their opening training session at the Bukom Boxing Arena last Tuesday, Banku gave an assurance that he would definitely make the weight in today’s weigh-in at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
The bout is being promoted by Box Office Sports Promotions whose Chief Executive Officer, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, is optimistic that the fight would be a success with GH¢200,000 to be shared by the two boxers.
Mohammed Adjei Sowah, the Mayor of Accra, has also announced that his outfit would reward the winner of the much-anticipated fight with an additional GH¢5,000.