Bukom’s fiery boxing rivalry is set to ignite again on September 12, as former national cruiserweight champion Jacob “The Beast” Dickson locks horns with the undefeated but wounded Ernest “Bawubali” Akushey in what has been billed as a battle for supremacy at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra.
The fight, promoted by Sports, Education and Management (SEM) Promotions, promises to be a bruising encounter between two men desperate for redemption after recent setbacks in the same iconic venue.
Dickson, 27, suffered a crushing defeat last June in the headline clash dubbed “Battle of the Beasts”, where he was outclassed by Nigerian-American Andrew Tabiti in a bout for the inaugural WBC Africa Bridgerweight title. For Akushey, his unbeaten run was shattered on May 10 when Jonathan “Worldwide” Tetteh stopped him with a seventh-round TKO to snatch the national light-heavyweight crown.
That loss was the first blemish on Akushey’s record after six straight victories — five by knockout — since his professional debut in 2019. Dickson, meanwhile, has now dropped two of his 16 career bouts but insists that this fight will restore his reputation and cement his place at the top of Ghana’s cruiserweight division.
And if his words are anything to go by, fans should expect fireworks.
“This guy is no match for me because he is not a boxer. I will beat him mercilessly, knock him out and, in fact, end his career,” Dickson declared at the official launch last Friday.
Akushey, 32, was unfazed by the verbal onslaught, offering a measured but confident reply.
“I’ve heard all the rubbish Dickson said; the mouth does not know its master is afraid. I’ll do my talking in the ring. My fans should come in their numbers to celebrate another victory,” he retorted.
SEM Promotions president, Lord Edward Coleman, revealed that the September 12 event is backed by partners from Germany, the Netherlands and Canada, with the ambition of projecting Ghanaian boxing onto the global stage.
The undercard will also pack a punch. Highlights include the return of Daniel Selassie Gorsh, looking to rebound after losing his unbeaten record and WBO Africa bantamweight strap to Theophilus Allotey in June.
Fans' favourite John “Expensive Boxer” Laryea is also set for action after his US outing last November, while former Black Bombers captain Musah Rahman Lawson will make his SEM Promotions debut.
