Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Lawson wins IBF title
Frederick Lawson laboured for 12 rounds but managed to obtain a unanimous decision against his Georgian opponent to become the new IBF International welterweight champion in a thrilling bout at the Jubilee Pool House last Saturday.
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Lawson scored 119-109, 120-109 and 118-110 against George Ungradze, Georgia’s third best in that division, to carry the verdict.
He was decorated with the title, the first in his career, by GBA president Peter Zwennes, legandary Azumah Nelson and the event promoter, Alhaji Enusa Sally.
The 24-year-old Ghanaian was ferocious in attack, combining punches and landing at will in the first two rounds.
However, powerful left and right hooks from Ungradze redefined the pace, tempo and rhythm of the fight as Lawson backed away, prancing in the ring and jabbing conveniently in subsequent rounds.
Ugradze, 29, waited for his opponent to throw punches at him severally before surging forward with powerful overhead left and right hooks which often shook the Ghanaian.
In the eighth and ninth rounds, Lawson came out of his shell and faced his opponent squarely, releasing powerful punches to the unguarded face of the Georgian, but as he tried to mix up with him , the Bukom lad backed away.
Lawson continued his jabs while running his opponent around the ring in the 10th round as his supporters cheered him on but yet again the Eastern European juggernaut kept coming at the Ghanaian.
Ungradze continued charging at his opponent as he intermittently called him to action in the 11th and 12th rounds with powerful left hooks and body shots.
Lawson also often countered with his own ferocious undercuts and quick powerful jabs that drilled through the face of the Georgian.
The Ghanaian was evasive, slippery and contained his marauding opponent who hardly showed any signs of tiredness till Ref Michael Neequaye ended it.
‘’I think he deserved it, he won it. And I believe I won three to four rounds, but he was good and gave me hell’’, the Georgian told the Graphic Sports after fight.
‘’I know he is a very tough fighter, I was aware who I was facing, he was very tough tonight, but I did well and brought out the best in me’’, Lawson noted.
In the undercards, Prince ‘’Octopus’’ Dzanie from Akotoku Academy knocked out Emmanuel Laryea of Sonia Gym in the second round in their bantamweight contest.
Joseph ‘’Horror’’ Lamptey of Second Out Gym pummelled Charles Tetteh of Discipline Gym into submission to win an eight-round welterweight contest, while former Black Bomber, Offei Dodoo, knocked out Richard Togbegah in their eight-round lightweight fray.
Former Olympian and captain of the Black Bombers team, Manyo Plange, also knocked out Alfred Quaye in the fourth round of their bantamweight eight rounder.
By Kwame Larweh/Graphic Sports/Ghana