Bukom Banku promises knockout win

Accra, March 1, GNA - Braimah "the Bukom Banku" Kamoko, African Boxing Union (ABU) light heavyweight champion said he would stop Mantle Griffins in the seventh round when they meet in Las Vegas on April 7 for the United States Boxing Association (USBA) light heavyweight title. Exuding a lot of confidence while talking to the GNA Sports in Accra on Wednesday, 'Bukom Banku' said he would make Griffins his 14th knockout victim to send his record to 17 wins from as many fights with only three of his opponents traveling the distance.

He said he would beat the American who has fought 46 times, won 40 with 30 of the fights by way of knockout and lost only six times, so well as to impress big time promoters to pitch him against Roy Jones, whom he would use as a stepping stone to greatness.


"I go fight to die to beat Griffins and Roy Jones then I go be the next champion from Ghana when I beat Antonio Tarver." Banku said he had the strength and ability to demolish any boxer in the light heavyweight class and his ascendancy to the top had been mapped out and ordained by God.


"After nine fights, I win national champion and after 14 fights I be Africa champion and my 17 fights I go win USBA and by 20 or 21 fight, I be world champion, he said in his 'Bukom english.' He said he had watched clips of fights involving Roy Jones, Griffins and Tarver and was sure he could knock out the three of them, one after the other.

"My friend, tell them that taller than your father is not 'pentupential' and the only fool dog runs after the flying bird and sweet medicine cannot cover the sickness man." Asked to explain his proverbs, he said even though the three American boxers might be better exposed, it was no guarantee that they belonged to the same class with him and their attempts to beat him would turn to naught.


Commenting on the chances of Banku against Griffins, coach Carl Lokko, trainer of the ABU champion said they had plunged into serious training to make the Ghanaian peak at fight time. "We go to the beach early in the morning and we also climb hills to toughen the heart and legs for the fight of our lives." He said they were also working hard on the defence of the boxer and he was in a better position to block, dodge and parry punches, adding that the American boxing public would see another Ghanaian who had world championship qualities on April 7.