Gyatabi: I won't repeat mistake

Super featherweight boxer Wasiru "Gyatabi" Mohammed received a hero’s welcome at the Kotoka International Airport on Tuesday, despite suffering the first defeat of his professional career.

Fans from Bukom and other boxing hubs thronged the airport to cheer the 28-year-old fighter and his coach, Daniel Lartekwei Lartey, after their return from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Gyatabi was knocked out in the fourth round by South African Kaine Fourie in a non-title bout on Saturday, November 23. 

The loss came despite an impressive start, where Gyatabi knocked down his opponent in the second round. The Ghanaian now holds a professional record of 14 wins and one loss.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic on his arrival, Gyatabi reflected on the fight, attributing his defeat to a lapse in strategy after his early success.

"This is my first defeat, and I won't repeat the mistakes I made in the ring. I have learned from this, and things are not going to be the same again," he stated.

He admitted failing to stay focused after knocking down Fourie, which left him vulnerable to counter punches.

"I failed to fight smartly after the second round, but I am going back to the drawing board to correct my mistakes," Gyatabi assured.

His trainer, Lartekwei Lartey, expressed confidence in Gyatabi’s ability to bounce back, noting that the team had identified the areas for his improvement.

"We have seen where the mistakes are, and I have shared some observations with my boxer. We will address these issues to make him stronger in future bouts," Lartey said.

John Manfo, Gyatabi’s manager, attributed the loss partly to ring rust, as it was the boxer’s first fight in three years and his first bout outside Ghana.

"This was his first fight abroad, so there were bound to be some challenges. This experience is a learning curve for him, and I believe he will come out of it stronger," Manfo remarked.

He called on supporters to continue rallying behind Gyatabi, emphasising that the boxer remained focused on his journey toward becoming a world champion.