GBA lift ban on Otoo Lartey

Solomon Otoo Lartey is a free man, the outstanding boxing matchmaker having had his 4-year ban lifted by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), it is official.

Otoo Lartey who has matched up some of the biggest fights in recent Ghanaian boxing history had the 4-year suspension slapped on him effective October 1, 2013 by the country's boxing controlling body for his role in a controversial WBC Youth title fight between Ghanaian Frank Dodze and Djamel Dahou of Algeria.

Otoo Lartey has always pleaded his innocence but paid the price as matchmaker of the fight of September 30, 2013 which the GBA ruled as a mock bout after Dodze's cornerman threw in a towel signalling defeat when the Ghanaian was dominating and had even just knocked the Algerian to the canvas.

The GBA in fact, ruled to lift the ban on Otoo Lartey as far back as December last year but made it formal only last week in a letter dated 20th August, 2015 signed by Secretary-General, Patrick Johnson and copied to chairmen of both the Promotions Committee and Matchmakers and Agents Association.

"At its meeting held on Tuesday the 2nd day of December, 2014 at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium, the Executive Board of the Ghana Boxing Authority agreed to lift the ban imposed on you for conspiracy with your Algerian counterparts to fix a boxing match," the GBA letter began.

"That being the case, the GBA wishes to recall you to resume your service as boxing matchmaker. The GBA wishes you well on your resumption and hopes that this will mark a new chapter in your career," the letter added.

"A copy of this letter is to be forwarded to the WBC Youth Championship Committee," it concluded.

Meanwhile, Solomon Otoo Lartey is heaving a sigh of relief and has expressed gratitude to all who supported him during what he says was a difficult time.

"In everything I give glory and praise to God, I am happy today this trouble is over and we can move forward. I thank the GBA President and other stakeholders for their understanding," Lartey famously nicknamed Otoo Mangola told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.