Gyatabi set to devour Japhet tonight
World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Super Bantamweight champion, Wasiru ‘Gyatabi’ Mohammed, says he is very hungry for the blood of Tanzanian Loren Japhet as they battle for the WBO super bantamweight Global championship belt at the Dayaran Gangaram (D.G) Hathiramani Hall of the Accra Stadium tonight.
He shrugged off questions of rustiness due to his nine-month absence from the ring and vowed to knock out Japhet and win the title.
Advertisement
"I will do a lot of talking in the ring. I want his blood. I am hungry for his blood and the ring will decide,” Gyatabi, who is undefeated in 10 professional bouts with nine knockouts, declared in front of a packed crowd at the Media Centre of the Accra Stadium during yesterday’s weigh-in.
The Ghanaian weighed 121kg, while his opponent, who has lost twice and drawn twice in his 13 professional fights, tipped the scales at 121.5kg.
Japhet, 22, told the packed audience, which included Azumah Nelson and Samir Captan, that he was unperturbed by his opponent's knockout capabilities.
"I know what I am capable of. The Tanzanian people know me and Wasiru will also know me on the night,” he calmly said.
Japhet, a southpaw who effectively combines the orthodox style, is yet to lose in his last 11 fights since tasting defeat against compatriot Hashimu Zuberi five years ago.
The unassuming lanky pugilist has scored two knockouts in his career and will be duelling in his first 12-round bout.
Gyatabi, on the other hand, is yet to taste defeat in his blossoming career and has vowed to annex the world title within the shortest possible time.
The 22-year-old knockout specialist goes into tonight’s fight against the backdrop of a controversial win over Isaac Sackey for the WBO Africa super bantamweight title at the Bukom Arena in October last year.
Gyatabi has scored nine knockouts in his 10 professional bouts and is most feared for his right hook, which could be decisive tonight.
However, the unassuming nature of Japhet, and his winning streak after two successive early losses in his career, could be a banana peel for the Ghanaian.
The organisers have invited contestants for Miss Ghana 2019 to grace the occasion. They have also mounted a giant screen to enable fans to watch the AFCON match involving the Black Stars and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun before the fight.
Other bouts on the night will see veteran Manyo Plange face off with Emmanuel Otoo in a national bantamweight bout, with Eric Quarm fighting Odartei Lartey in a lightweight encounter.
Lesko Sossya will also slug it out with Lartei Lartey in a light middleweight contest.