Best of Bukom 2: Abban grabs WBA and Commonwealth titles, Commey, Neequaye, Malm win

Ghana's Michael 'Black Spider' Abban became the new WBA Pan African and Commonwealth Silver super flyweight champion on New Year's Day following the failure of Tanzanian opponent, Muhsin Kizota to answer the bell for round 3 on an electrifying night of fight action in Accra presented by Bishop Boxing Promotions.

22 year old Abban, a former national champion who also won the Commonwealth Youth belt only last October, didn't do much in round 1 as he appeared to study the opponent who was virtually inactive, only interested in not getting hit at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The Ghanaian went into full gear in round 2, but Kizota will not allow him to fight, frustrating Abban with incessant clinching as the clocked ticked away. Abban however will not be thwarted and still found a way to land some good shots even as Kizota tried his best to clinch and frustrate the Ghanaian.

Apparently, the few body and head shots Abban inflicted caused so much damage the Tanzanian remained rooted to his stool at the sound of the bell for round 3, pointing out an injured shoulder, much to the frustration of the Ghanaian who was eager to put on a show for his teeming fans and countrymen.

"I was just heating up, and it's so frustrating. From round one to two, he refused to let us stand and trade blows like men. I started breaking him down, so it's disappointing that he gave up," Abban told Graphic post-fight.

"It's been a long time since I fought in front of my fans and I wanted to give them a solid performance. I dedicate the two titles to my fans for their unflinching support, I assure them there is more to come. The target is the world title," he said.

Powered by Bishop Boxing Promotions and dubbed "Best of Bukom 2," the show featured a total of 10 thrilling fights including an amateur slugfest between two of Ghana's most promising young talents, Mathias Ashitey and Caleb Mensah.

Under the illuminating lights, Bishop Boxing Promotions filled the Bukom Boxing Arena as fight lovers showed up to celebrate Ghana's future stars on the first day of the year.

Shining brightest in the final fight of the night was national lightweight champion, Joseph "Jaguar" Commey who silenced hitherto also unbeaten Majid Yakubu with a shutout performance to successfully defend the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) belt.

Scores of 97-93 and 98-92 in favour of Commey aptly reflected proceedings but the third judge surprisingly ruled it 95-95, which meant 22 year old Commey won only by majority decision.

The victory now sets up a potential explosive clash next for the 2022 Commonwealth Games silver and Accra 2023 gold medalist against former national teammate, the Tokyo Olympics hero and also Accra 2023 gold medalist, Samuel "Ring Warrior" Takyi.

Taking a title home for the first time was another promising star, Africanus 'Africa' Neequaye who stopped neighbourhood rival, Samuel "High Tension" Quaye in 7 to annex the national super lightweight championship.

Quaye, 24, started full of energy and looked primed to halt the flawless pro run of Neequaye, 20, but the latter explored his rich ring IQ to render his opponent's early aggression futile through his ducking and counter-punching accuracy.

In the 5th and 6th, he took control, started landing multiple combinations which forced the otherwise aggressive Quaye to retreat. Sensing victory, Neequaye even took time to showboat and taunt his rival, it was little surprise that Quaye threw in the towel at the sound of the bell for round 7.

Meanwhile, former national cruiserweight champion, Haruna 'Thunder' Mohammed made light work of amateur rival, Nii Ashitey Larbie, dominating their West Africa title fight before stopping him in round 7. He becomes the new WABU cruiserweight champion.

Former national team star, Henry Malm was also in superb form against Isaac Commey, exposing and punishing the former kickboxer's lack of amateur fundamentals in commanding fashion.

After 6 one-sided rounds during which Commey was totally overmatched, Malm opened fire in the 7th, caught his opponent with a powerful left hook which clearly broke Commey who appeared not to be aware of his surroundings.

Malm, nicknamed "Junior Assassin," moved in for the finish, inflicting a barrage of unanswered punches that took Commey into the ropes and out flat on his back. He needed medical attention from ringside medics to recover when Malm was wildly jubilating an 11th straight win as a pro, with 10 knockouts.

In other fights, Joseph "Junior Bazooka" Antwi saw off Kinda Kouengoue via a round 4 TKO, Prince Kamaldeen Mohammed proved too strong for Togolese Fioklu Dogbevi in 3, Benedict Badoo stopped Wisdom Agbogleamenu in 3 whiles Ebenezer Kolebe blasted out Jonathan Pappoe in the opening fight of the night.

In the sole amateur contest, SWAG Boxer of the Year, Ashitey of the Black Panthers Gym, proved his international pedigree with a terrific 2-1 split decision victory over Mensah of Wisdom Gym in a highly competitive exhibition of Ghana's future prospects in the pugilistic sport.

Bishop Boxing Promotions once again set the bar high with their organisation, even topping it up with a presentation of a specially designed belt to the family of late boxer, Ernest 'Bahubali' Akushey and his year old daughter right in the ring where he last fought.

"Thank you Ghana, thanks to the boxing family for showing up for us tonight, it was a spectacle. "Best of Bukom 3" is already loading for 3rd April, 2026 and it will be called "The Resurrection" at Laboma Beach Resort. Let's make Ghana boxing great," said Dave Bishop, CEO/President of Bishop Boxing Promotions.