Djanie throws challenge to Agbeko - Wants his WBO Africa title back

Undefeated bantamweight fighter, Prince ‘Octopus’ Djanie, has thrown a challenge to former world champion, Joseph ‘King-Kong’ Agbeko, to face him to determine the true owner of the WBO Africa bantamweight title which the latter currently holds.

Djanie, 33, undefeated in 19 professional bouts, defeated Isaac Quaye in October last year on the undercard of the Braimah Kamoko versus Bastie Samir bout to win the WBO Africa bantamweight title.

Strangely, however, Djanie was stripped of the belt which was later handed to Joseph Agbeko after beating Tanzania’s Frank Kilawabye a fortnight ago at Aflao in the Volta Region.

Agbeko, 38, has fought 38 times as a professional, with five losses. He was lambasted by some boxing pundits for his poor showing which led to, what they claimed, was a controversial decision in favour of the former world champion.

Djanie told the Graphic Sports in an interview in James Town, Accra, last Tuesday that he would stop Agbeko in the early rounds.

“Agbeko will be no match for me. I will stop him in the early rounds, and will take my title back,” he stated.

His manager, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, in a separate interview with the Graphic Sports, was livid that his ward was stripped of the belt and was not offered the opportunity to defend his title.

According to him despite paying a sanctioning fee of over $2,600 to WBO Africa president, Samir Captan, and also fulfilled all the requirements, including payments to other boxers who fought on the bill on the night, Djanie’s title was taken from him by the WBO Africa for not fighting a boxer of their choice.

Nonetheless, Mr Boakye was hopeful that the WBO would still sanction a fight between Agbeko and Djanie to determine the true WBO Africa bantamweight champion.

“Our camp is ready to fight Agbeko after the 120 days fallow period had elapsed and he is mandated to defend the title. We will see sometime in June, July or August to make this fight possible,” he stated.

He is also suggesting that the bout may be on the undercards of the second Braimah Kamoko and Bastie Samir bout scheduled for June 30.

Mr Boakye, who is the CEO of Box Office Promotions, later challenged the president of WBO Africa to make the fight happen.