Issaka is new National Super Middleweight Champion

Kumasi June 3, GNA - Ibole Issaka of the Akotoku Boxing Academy from Accra emerged the new National Super Middleweight Champion when he recorded a seventh round Technical Knock-Out (TKO) victory over Marciano Commey of Wisdom Boxing Club in a showdown for the vacant title at the Prempeh Assembly Hall in Kumasi on Saturday.

The competition which was put together by Sikaprix Promotions in collaboration with the Ghana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) had 10 other bouts honoured in different weight categories on the night. Issaka used his long reach to advantage in the preliminary stages of the scheduled 12-round bout as he kept his shorter opponent at bay with some accurate left punches.

In the first, second and third rounds of the fight, there was little to choose between the two combatants as they two fighters were cautious and decided to study each other in the early stages.

In the fourth round, the hard-hitting Commey however threw caution to the wind and traded hefty punches with Issaka with the aim of finishing off his opponent earlier.

Commey's strategy nearly paid off for him when one of his right hooks sent the champion to the canvas but Issaka managed to beat the mandatory count.

After surviving the early scare, Issaka changed his tactics and resorted to hit and run, thus confusing Commey with the latter chasing the former to no avail.

In the seventh round, the champion mounted pressure on his opponent and succeeded in penetrating his guard with many accurate hefty punches that dazed the tired-looking Commey in the latter stages of the round. Sensing imminent defeat, Commey's corner threw in the towel to save their ward from further punishment, a development that left the judges with no other choice than to declare Issaka as the winner of the contest and the new National Super Middleweight Champion.

Supporters of Issaka went into wild jubilation as he was decorated with the belt to signify his new status.

In another contest for the vacant National Middleweight title, Dan Adjei of the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Club drew with Kojo Issah of the Queen Elizabeth Boxing Club in a clash that failed to live up to expectation as the main bout for the night. Issah, the only boxer from Kumasi who participated in the event went into action immediately the fight began with the view to knock down his opponent in the early rounds.

This move however failed to materialize as Adjei exhibited some good boxing skills to confuse his inexperienced opponent who resorted to clinching in most of the twelve rounds.

Issah kept on slapping his opponent instead of hitting him with his knuckles, a development that gave his disappointed home fans and boxing enthusiasts little to cheer about.

In the Light Heavyweight fray, Braimah "Bukom Banku" Kamoko beat Prince Butuo of the CAN Boxing Club when he recorded a first round TKO win over his opponent in their six round bout. Butuo bled profusely from the hefty punches of 'Bukom Banku' and his camp had no alternative than to throw in the towel to save their ward from further punishment.

In the Lightweight contest, Yakubu Hamidu of the Fit Square Boxing Club emerged as the winner when he recorded a six round TKO win over Aminu Turkson also of the same Club in their eight round bout, whilst Kpakpo Allotey of the Akotoku Boxing Academy also defeated Eben Ayivor of the Fit Square Boxing Club in another bout under the same weight category.

In another Lightweight contest, Ishmael Aryeetey of the Panix Boxing Club defeated Edward Kambazi of Dade Boxing Club in their clash, whilst George Ashie of the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Club beat Collins Clottey of Panix Boxing Club in their fight in the category, with Albert Mensah of the Willpower Boxing Club recording a second round TKO win over Joe Nyame of the Akotoku Boxing Academy in their bout in another Lightweight fray.

Kofi Manu of the Sagacious Boxing Club defeated Stephen Commey of the Bukom Boxing Club in their Super Lightweight contest whilst Dan Allotey of Akotoku Boxing Academy accounted for Stephen Abbey of CAN Boxing Club in their Middleweight clash. In the Super Featherweight contest, Thomas Ayittey of the Panix Boxing Club defeated Stephen Mensah of CAN Boxing Club. 03 June 07