Ghanaian welterweight contender Faisal Abubakari has vowed to rebuild and return stronger after the first defeat of his professional career ended his unbeaten run and denied him the WBA Intercontinental welterweight title in Germany.
Abubakari, popularly known as “Poncho Power,” suffered a sixth-round stoppage against Germany’s Slawa Spomer at the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle in Ludwigshafen last Saturday, bringing an abrupt end to a 21-fight winning streak.
The Ghanaian entered the contest with a perfect 21-0 record, including 16 knockouts, but failed to answer the bell for the seventh round after Spomer seized control of the fight with a punishing finish.
The defeat represented a harsh introduction to international competition for Abubakari, who was fighting outside Ghana for the first time and bidding to add the WBA Intercontinental belt to a résumé that already includes the WBO Africa junior welterweight title.
For much of the opening exchanges, there was little to separate the two fighters. Abubakari started confidently and matched Spomer through four closely contested rounds, with both men enjoying spells of success as the Ghanaian showed he was capable of competing at the higher international level.
The momentum, however, shifted decisively in the fifth. Spomer began to impose himself physically, hurting Abubakari before pressing home his advantage in the sixth round.
Another damaging attack late in the round left the Ghanaian unable to continue, and his corner did not send him out for the seventh.
The result handed Spomer a TKO victory and the vacant 147-pound title, while forcing Abubakari to confront a new reality for the first time in his professional career: defeat.
But rather than retreat, the 28-year-old has framed the setback as a test of character and a potential turning point.
In a message to supporters on Facebook, Abubakari thanked those who had backed him throughout his rise and made clear that one loss would not alter his ambitions.
“To my amazing fans, thank you for believing in me, cheering me on, and keeping me in your prayers,” he wrote.
He also expressed appreciation to his coaches, family, friends, Primora Promotions and everyone who played a role in preparing him for his first bout outside Ghana.
Abubakari then delivered a defiant message about what comes next.
“This journey is far from over. Insha’Allah, we will continue to make history together,” he declared.
The loss strips away the aura of an unbeaten record, but it could also prove instructive.
Until Ludwigshafen, Abubakari had known only victory as a professional. Now, the central question is how effectively he absorbs the lessons from his first setback, particularly the tactical and physical demands of fighting away from home against stronger international opposition.
For a boxer who had built his reputation on power, aggression and a steadily rising domestic profile, the next phase will demand more than resilience.
It will require adjustment, sharper fight management and proof that his ambitions can survive adversity.
Abubakari’s unbeaten record may be gone, but his career remains very much alive.
