Namibian Martin Haikali retained the WBO Africa lightweight title when he beat Sam Amoako of Ghana on a split decision over 12 rounds on Saturday evening.
Fighting at the Accra International Convention Centre in Accra, Ghana, Haikali had to be at his best against the home town favourite, and although he seemed to be in control from the start, the final scorecards indicated a closely fought contest.
After an even start, Amoako stepped up the tempo and shaded the middle rounds, but Haikali came back strongly in the final rounds to sway the fight in his favour.
Two of the judges scored the fight in Haikali’s favour - 116-114 and 117-115, while the third judge scored it 117-113 in Amoako’s favour.
Haikali's trainer Nestor Tobias was however not happy with the judges' scorecard.
"I am not happy with the officials, but I'm very happy for my boxer, who put up a good fight,' he told Namibia Sport.
It was Haikali’s third successful defence of the WBO African lightweight title that he won in November 2009 when he beat compatriot Jatoorora Tjingavete on a sixth round TKO.
In April 2010, he beat Tjingavete in a rematch on a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds, and in August 2010 he beat Pius Dipheko of South Africa on a unanimous points decision over 12 rounds.
Haikali now has a professional record of seven wins and four defeats in 11 pro fights.
He is currently ranked second in the lightweight category in Namibia behind Paulus Moses, and according to boxrec.com he has a lightweight world ranking of 109.
