Major and Latest Boxing news in Ghana
Zwennes breathes new air
When Joseph Agbeko lost to Guillermo Rigondeaux of the United States in the Ghanaian’s attempt for a fourth world title, it ended Ghana’s hopes of finishing the year with a boxing world title.
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On that occasion in New Jersey in the United States when the once feared Agbeko was reduced to a punching bag by the Cuban-turned-American before an impressive crowd, it told the story of a career on the twilight and sliding down towards the inevitable – retirement.
It was an irony that Agbeko was making his debut appearance as a member of Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions after dumping the shrewd Don King. But any hopes of resuscitating a career that has seen many great performances, including unforgettable title fights against Vic Darchinyan and Abner Mares I, looked a long shot for now as the two-time International Boxing Federation (IBF) titlist was condemned to his fifth professional loss.
Having moved up to the “right weight” after he shunned the bantamweight division for the super-bantamweight class, it was thought that Agbeko would have overcome the “problems” of having to drain himself to make the bantamweight.
That Ghana’s hopes of finishing the year among the elite in the sport depended on 33-year-old Agbeko was perhaps a condemnation of the nation to the fringes, with the passing of the prime of particularly Joshua Clottey and Agbeko leaving a gapping void.
It was Agbeko’s third loss in four fights, all of them world title fights, but coming after he claimed the International Boxing Orgnisation (IBO) bantamweight title in Accra last March courtesy a unanimous points verdict over Luis Melendez of Colombia, few must have considered the one-sided action as a possible outcome.
The indication that Agbeko was not quitting now was soothing, at least, to the many fans who have been attracted to his great skill, including Bob Arum. But it remains to be seen how much more fight there is in the experienced boxer.
The nation also awaits the “real” return of Clottey, the former IBF welterweight champion, who secured his second win as a light-middleweight when he outpointed Dashon Johnson of the United States, with the talk of a possible chance at a world title remaining just that so far.
Until all that become reality, Ghana’s real hopes will hang on the broad and strong shoulders of Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa cruiserweight champion.
Banku, still unbeaten in 26 fights, was the vintage performer for the country when he stopped George Tevdorashvili of Georgia in six rounds in their international contest at the Accra Stadium on May 3.
Banku’s managers, GoldenConcept, and promoters, GoldenMike, managed to raise him to the higher levels of the rankings under the various sanctioning bodies, and it appears his time for staking a claim for one of the main titles seems closer than ever as 2013 draws to a close.
There are also great expectations from Emmanuel Tagoe, who won a controversial unanimous decision against Ronald Pontillas to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-Continental and the WBO Africa super-featherweight crowns.
Game Boy, as Tagoe is aliased, was a pale shadow of the smart guy who outpointed compatriot George Ashie at the same Accra Stadium in November last year, and when he resorted to antics to contain Pontillas, he incurred the wrath of a booing crowd which remained unimpressed by his indifferent display.
Rather, it was referee Roger Barnor who risked his career for the sake of his compatriot when his commands in the native language while he refereed the bout occasioned a disciplinary action from the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
Barnor announced his retirement from the sport thereafter, but has since rescinded that decision.
Indeed, it was one of the bold actions of the era of new GBA president, Peter Zwennes.
Zwennes, a lawyer and known boxing enthusiast over the years, became the first elected president of professional boxing in Ghana.
At a congress that climaxed prolonged agitation and an exciting campaigning for local boxing’s top post, Zwennes defeated Henry Manly-Spain and Francis Decland after incumbent Samir Captan had pulled out of the race late on.
That occasion was a perfect assemblage of Ghana boxing’s finest, with the attendees including the great Azumah Nelson, D.K. Poison, Nana Yaw Konadu, Ebo Danquah and Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey, all former world champions, and World Boxing Council (WBC) executive, Nii Cofie Ajenkwa.
Perhaps, this is the new birth of Ghana boxing.