Ali Alabi of Cape Coast De Hawk Camp displayed abundant stamina and skills to gain a technical knock-out win over Imurana Bozo of Accra in their eight round featherweight boxing contest staged at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Saturday. Ali knocked down Bozo in the first and fourth rounds.
Accra based referee John A. Annan had to stop the fight after the second knockdown to save Imurana Bozo from further punishment amid jubilation by Cape Coast fans. The Cape Coast boy who mounted the ring with confidence amid cheers from fans started the fight on a fast note and knocked down his opponent midway through the first round. Bozo survived the count held on till the end of the round.
In the second and third rounds the two boxers thrilled the fans when they stood toe to toe and hammered at each other. When the fourth round began, Alabi who was determined to carry the day gained the upper hand as he connected powerful combinations to the face and body of Bozo, forcing the Accra boxer to kiss the canvas the second time. Even though Bozo was able to beat the count he appeared dazed and referee Annan stopped the fight to save him from further punishment
In a lightweight contest, Frank Zoya of Cape Coast drew with Assando Fuseini of Accra, while Collison Clottey of Accra gained a third round technical knockout victory over Samuel Walters of Cape Coast. Referee Rose Mary Ametepey had to stop the fight to save Walters, who had blood oozing from a facial cut.
In a paperweight title fight, Fredrick Lante Lawson a 14-year old boy from Adabraka Presbyterian JSS was crowned the new champion when he beat Manyo Plange, also from Accra, by a split 2-1 decision to wrestle the vacant crown. An exhibition bout between two female boxers from Accra, Amerley Turkson and Yarkor Chavez gave fans a lot to cheer about.
The tournament dubbed "Akotowurabam Nite" was sponsored by a number of organisations including Uniliver, Cedecom, Cape Coast Municipal Assembly and BRM. Among the people present were Joe Aggrey, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Muniru Arafat, Cape Coast Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Ato Arthur chief executive for Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abrem District and Mr Moses Foh-Amoaning vice chairman of Ghana Boxing Association (GBA).
