The Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra is poised for an explosive start to 2026 as Bishop Boxing Promotions (BBP) rolls out a star-studded fight night on new Year’s Day, featuring a mix of rising prospects and established champions.
The main attraction on the bill is the West African Boxing Union (WABU) cruiserweight championship showdown between knockout specialist Haruna Mohammed and the dangerous Nii Ashitey Larbie.
Haruna, a former national cruiserweight champion, boasts seven knockouts from seven wins and heads into the title fight on the back of two straight victories after losing his national title to Ahmed Abdula in June.
He now faces a major test of his credentials against Larbie, who has eight wins and one draw from 10 fights, with his only defeat coming last March in Russia to Denis Savitsky.
Another highly anticipated contest sees unbeaten Africanus “Africa Star” Neequaye taking on fierce rival Daniel “High Tension” Quaye for the National Superlightweight crown. The bout is
expected to draw significant attention, given the fighters' local rivalry and Neequaye’s aura of invincibility.
Also primed to thrill is a super welterweight showdown that pits heavy-hitting Henry Malm against former kickboxer Isaac Commey.
Malm has stopped nine of his 10 opponents in a perfect professional run, while Commey’s 10 victories (all by knockouts) underline the explosive potential of the contest.
Jaguar on the prowl One of the night's most exciting match-ups features Joseph “Jaguar” Commey making his first defence of the National Lightweight title against rising contender Majid Yakubu.
Commey, 22, who won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and gold at the 13th African Games last year, has already bagged both the UBO Africa and national titles in just three bouts.
However, Yakubu, 23, arrives unbeaten with four straight wins since turning professional in September 2023.
Fresh off his triumph as Commonwealth Youth super flyweight champion, Michael “Black Spider” Abban aims to secure a third career belt as he contests the WBA Pan Africa super flyweight title against Mushin Kizota of Tanzania.
The undercard also features promising heavyweight Joseph “Junior Bazooka” Antwi in an 8-round duel with Ghana-based Cameroonian Kinda Kouengoue.
Newly crowned SWAG Boxer of the Year, Mathias Ashitey, will face Caleb Mensah in a three-round amateur bantamweight curtain-raiser.
The promotional outfit, owned by American businessman Dave Bishop, has also announced that all fighters on the bill will undertake eight hours of community service as part of their contracts, with longterm plans in motion for the establishment of a boxing academy in Accra.
“Get ready for an electrifying start to the New Year as we showcase the incredible talent emerging from the heart of Bukom, known as the birthplace of boxing."
