Northern Army Command Inter-Unit Boxing Competition commences

A three-day Northern Army Command Inter-Unit Boxing Competition aimed at selecting a formidable side to meet their colleagues of the Southern Command of the Ghana Armed Forces has begun at the Liberation Barracks in Sunyani on Tuesday.

The 13-bout programme took off at a low ebb as the hundreds of boxing fans who thronged the venue had little to cheer about as only four of the bouts produced something significant in the art of boxing.


Unnecessary clinching, throwing of wild blows, wrestling and many other unprofessional actions in the art of boxing characterized the first night and no wonder the commentator deplored the performance of some of the boxers.


In the Lightweight division and the first bout of the competition between Corporal Wonder Akator of 3BN Sunyani and Private Gyan Amoako of 4BN Kumasi, the former won on a 2-1 decision, while Lance-Corporal Charles Bentum of 6BN Tamale was disqualified in a Welterweight bout against Bernard Ofori of 4BN for persistently ignoring the referee/judge’s instructions.


In another Welterweight clash, Private Richard Korley of Airborne Force, (ABF) Tamale won a first round technical knock-out over Albert Quansah of 3 BN, whilst despite poor exhibition of boxing by both boxers, Private Owusu Nyarko of 4BN beat Private Felix Ofori of Headquarters of the Northern Command on a 2-1 points decision.


In the Light-welterweight division, Cpl. Okwan Leo of 6BN who fought like a rhinoceros, attacked his opponent with his head down and managed to win on points over Private Isaac Tei of the Northern Command headquarters.


Private James Kuffuor of 4BN after thrice hitting the canvas managed to score a second round technical knock-out win over Private Samuel Moore of 3BN in the first Middleweight fray.

Lance-Corporal Thomas Atomo of Northern Command Headquarters defeated L/Cpl A. Kpogo of 6BN on points in another Middleweight clash and Corporal Robert Nai of 3BN beat Private John Issahaku of 6BN in an unpopular 2-1 decision, as many spectators thought Issahaku had done enough to become the winner.


In another Middleweight division, Private Addai of Headquarters suffered a painful second round defeat to Bismarck Tetteh of 4BN on technical grounds when he had a dislocation of the left arm in the second round of their three-round bout.


In a Light-heavyweight bout, Private Michael Odoom of 4 BN was technically knocked out by Corporal Affum of 6BN who after been floored thrice managed to survive the mandatory count to knock out his opponent in the third round.


In another Light-heavyweight duel, Private Opoku Addo of Headquarters Northern Command lost technically to Corporal Nuhu Kuti of 3BN when his corner threw in the towel in the second round to save him from further punishment.


Corporal Emmanuel Dzata of 4BN won a second round technical knock-out over Lance Corporal Obed Glago of ABF, Tamale whose handlers also threw in the towel, a decision that did not go well with Glago and his supporters, who thought the boxer was still in contention.


Corporal T. Nuredeen of Headquarters Northern Command succumbed to Lance-Corporal Daniel Nyamaa of 6BN on a unanimous 2-1 decision in a fight described to be the best of the night.

Earlier in an address, Lieutenant-Colonel Cornelius Kwabena Lithur, Garrison Commander of the Northern Command, urged the participants to foster the sprit de corps, confidence, team spirit and individual endurance apart from the competition’s objective of selecting a formidable team for the Command.


Lt. Col. Lithur entreated the boxers to sharpen their skills from the competition, stressing that “hand-to-hand combat is one of the last weapons of the soldier, especially when he or she is down on armour”.


The Garrison Commander encouraged the boxers to put up a good show and display good sportsmanship and cautioned them not to use rancorous manners to win the competition, which he said would rather destroy their good relationship.


He advised the officials to be fair in their decisions to make the competition interesting and successful, while bringing out the best in the boxers.


The Commanding Officer appealed to the participating Units to present their grievances and observations if any through the organizing Unit for redress. The competition continues on Wednesday with nine bouts.**