Best of Bukom: Boxers on weight for New Year's fight party in Accra
The stage has been set for an electrifying night of fight extravaganza in Accra on New Year's Day, following successful weigh-in and face-off by fighters featuring on the Bishop Boxing Promotions event codenamed "Best of Bukom 2."
Amid chants, tensions, confrontations and drama by teeming fans of various boxers on the 10-fight action-packed bill, lighting up the arena on a hot Wednesday morning, boxers took the scales to make weight 24 hours before fight day.
First to climb the scales was national lightweight champion, Joseph "Jaguar" Commey who came in bang on weight, 132.1 lbs, whereas his challenger, Majid Yakubu tilted the scales slightly higher at 133.6 lbs, setting the stage for their 10-round battle.
Also on weight were recently crowned Commonwealth Youth Super Flyweight champ, Michael "Black Spider" Abban of Ghana and his opponent from Tanzania, Mushin Kizota for their double title clash. Abban eased through at 114.9 lbs but there was drama for Kizota who had to strip naked and try 3 times over 2 hours before finally coming within at 114.8 lbs for the WBA Pan-African and Commonwealth Silver Super Flyweight championships.
Another much anticipated thriller is the national super lightweight championship between Bukom rivals, Africanus Neequaye and Daniel "High Tension" Quaye. Unbeaten Neequaye (9 wins, 7 knockouts) weighed 139.5 lbs whilst Quaye struggled through 3 tries and stripping naked before also coming within at 139.5 lbs.
In the headline event, a dicey clash for the West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) Cruiserweight title, former national champion Haruna "Thunder" Mohammed came in at 197.4 lbs against compatriot Nii Ashitey Larbie who was lighter at 189.6 lbs.
Meanwhile, undefeated Henry Malm alias Assassin Junior, who has won all 10 career fights with 9 knockouts, mounted the scales at 155.7 lbs for the crunch super welterweight 8-rounder against former kickboxer, Isaac Commey who came in at 154.4 lbs.
Also on weight was Joseph "Junior Bazooka" Antwi at 244.5 lbs, way heavier than opponent, Kinda Kouengoue's 213. 6 lbs for their heavyweight 6-round contest.
Other fighters on weight included Ebenezer Kolebe (116.5) and Jonathan Pappoe (120.5) for a bantamweight contest, Benedict Baddoo (174.5) and Wisdom Agbogbleamenu (175.5) for a light heavyweight affair as well as Prince Kamaldeen Mohammed (178) and Fioklu Dogbevi (178), also at light heavyweight.
In alignment with Bishop Boxing Promotions' commitment to the youth and juvenile development, an amateur bantamweight contest over 3 rounds between SWAG Boxer of the Year Mathias Ashitey and Caleb Mensah has been lined up as a curtain raiser to the 9-fight pro bill. In conformity with amateur boxing rules, Ashitey, 18, and 19 year old Mensah will weigh-in on the morning of the fight tomorrow.
Over 200 uniformed Police personnel and 125 private and undercover security have been recruited by the promoters to safeguard attendees. A strict zero-tolerance approach will be enforced against anyone who breaches peace and security at the fight night.
Bishop Promotions President and CEO, Dave Bishop will also on the night unveil and present a special belt designed in honour of late Ghanaian boxer, Ernest "Bahubali" Akushey to his family to celebrate his place in Ghanaian boxing history.
"We have lined up good fights, the biggest prospects in Bukom on the first day of the year. There is no where else to be," he told the Graphic Online.
"All the fights will be exciting, we carefully selected the talents so you can expect anyone to be knocked out at anytime, there can be an upset at anytime. That's the excitement we guarantee," Mr Bishop said.
