New date for Banku-Powers clash as Wulomei oppose May 16

Bernard Neequaye Boxing May - 05 - 2014 , 08:31 2 minutes read

Just when it appeared the dust had settled on the controversial non-title fight between Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko and Michael Ayitey Powers, there was another dramatic turn last Saturday.

This was after the leadership of the Osu Traditional Council waded into the fight and negotiated a new date due to a potential clash of the sanctioned date with traditional activities of Osu which herald the annual Homowo festival.

After a meeting last Saturday between traditional leaders of Osu (Wulomei) and the Ghana Boxing Authority at the Osu Stool House located close to the Accra Sports Stadium, venue of the much-awaited “Judgement Night”, it was agreed that the fight be moved forward a day from the originally sanctioned date of May 16 to May 15 at the Accra Stadium

It was the latest twist to the merry-go-round characterising the big fight which has already witnessed two changes in date.

Initially fixed for April 18, the cruiserweight bout was postponed to May 16 after Powers requested for a date change and threatened to withdraw, citing religious reasons and lack of mental readiness.

Last Saturday’s meeting at which the GBA was represented by its president, Peter Zwennes, and its general secretary, Patrick Johnson, was to find a suitable arrangement with the traditional rulers due to the ban on drumming and noisemaking in the area.

After deliberations with the Council, the GBA decided to reschedule the bout to May 15, which would allow custom to prevail in the area and to avoid noise making during the fight.