U.K completes double over Gt. Accra

Accra, Feb 21, GNA - The Haringey Police and Community Boxing Team from the United Kingdom completed their tour of Ghana on a high note by defeating hosts, the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing Team 3-2 in the final International Amateur Boxing Tournament held at the Prisons Canteen, Cantonment on Wednesday night.

The feat saw the visiting team complete a double over their hosts in two separate contests, but the final was dogged by some controversial referees' decisions.


Boxers from both teams displayed some high level of boxing artistry which kept the enthusiastic crowd on their feet for the greater part of the night.


Fifteen year old, Jessy Lartey won the hearts of the fans, defying the reach and height advantages of his British opponent, Ashley Sexton, a member of the British Amateur Boxing team during their flyweight duel. Sexton, 20, who anticipated an easy ride over his teenage opponent, had to revive his tactics several times before disposing of the Fit Square Gym-lad 3-2 for his second victory in Ghana.


Offei Dodoo restored hope for the host team courtesy a 5-0 mauling of Sam Ojomo in the lightweight division. Dodoo, one of few boxers, who boasts of an unbeaten record during the GAABA Boxing League, was ruthless in the fight and outclassed his British opponent in all four rounds, forcing an official of the Haringey Police and Boxing team to rate the Attoh Quarshie Gym-product, the best to have fought his ward. In the light welterweight division, Chris Webb of the U.K. was awarded a controversial 3-2 victory over Ben Lamptey while Eric Ochieng also of the U.K. team overpowered King Paul of Greater Accra 5-0 in the welterweight class.

Hugely-built Yaw Boniface produced the only knockout of the evening when he knocked down 15-year old Luke Robinson of the Haringey Team twice in the light heavyweight encounter, forcing the corner men of the Briton to throw in the towel.


Boniface, who appeared to be behind in the early rounds, floored Robinson with a powerful right hook early in the third round before repeating the dose later in the round to warrant retirement from his opponent.


In separate bouts to usher the main event, Raphael Abrompah defeated Ofoli Tetteh in the bantamweight division while Maxwell Amponsah was superior to Mike Pappoe in the lightweight clash. Certificates and prizes were presented to all boxers who participated in the two events, while the UK team presented the second batch of gloves to GAABA.


The U.K. team is expected to leave for their base on Sunday, February 24.