Some fans jubilate at defeat of Bazooka

Accra (Greater Accra), 15 Feb. '99 -

Some boxing fans surprisingly took to the streets in jubilation soon after Ike 'Bazooka' Quartey failed in his attempt to wrestle the WBC welterweight crown from Oscar De La Hoya at the Thomas and Mack Centre, Las Vegas, in the USA early this morning. The bare-chested youthful fans carrying placards sang in a procession through the streets of Jamestown, the General Post Office area and especially Bukom, from where Ike hails. Some of the placards read : "Ike, you are no match for Oscar", "Bazooka is a loser", "Ike the Russian is still waiting for you", and other derogatory remarks about the Ghanaian boxer. A vigil over a bonfire lit in his honour at the Bukom Square had died out and the crowd had dispersed. This unexpected support for Oscar, though strange, had existed even before the fight, resulting in boxing fans betting hugely for and against Bazooka. Some of them cited as reasons for their animosity, Ike's 'indisciplined behaviour,' 'arrogance,' 'quick temper' and 'sheer disrespect' for his childhood friends, and family members.

"Ike is not a disciplined boxer and moreover since he became a champion, he treats us... even some of his own family members with scorn, so there is no need to support him", said Amarkai, a Bukom resident. Others who supported Ike stood dumbfounded as their white calico and Ghana flags meant for jubilation hung loosely around their necks.

Others engaged in heated arguments over what the challenger should have done to win the fight which he lost by a split decision. "Ike made a mess of himself during the final round and that cost him dearly," a sympathiser said. His fans, prior to the fight, had embarked on a rather cautious celebration due to the fact that he had not fought since October, 1997.

At Korle Wonkon, also in Accra Central, members of the Ike Quartey Fan Club stood in the streets disappointed. Some drinking bars were still blaring with music while some fans drank to console themselves. Others, who had apparently embarked on a pre-fight drinking spree could not even watch the bout as they slumped into their chairs dozed off long before the bout started.

At the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Adabraka, a few people discussed the outcome of the fight, wile others seemed unconcerned as they went about their early morning chores. At Ridge, a top residential area, the streets were quiet. Ike, the former WBA champion, was stripped of the title for failing to defend it against Andrei Pastriez of Russia last August.