Lartey battles GBA over fight sanctions, demands justice

Boxing trainer Lartekwei Lartey has boldly challenged the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) over the sanctions imposed on him following the dramatic end of the fight between his boxer, Elvis Ahorgah, and Ernest Akushey on June 29 at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

Lartey, who has denied instigating the chaos that marred the bout, is calling for a thorough investigation to identify and punish the true culprits.

In the wake of the controversial "Power of the Fists" event, the GBA fined Lartey 20 per cent of his earnings from the night. Alongside him, boxers Obodai Sai and Akushey faced severe sanctions for their roles in the contentious fight.

Sai, who was a member of Akushey's cornermen, entered the ring and used a razor blade to slash the young boxer's left glove open at the end of the sixth round.

The National Super-middleweight title clash between Akushey and Ahorgah reached a boiling point in the seventh round when referee Roger Barnor halted the bout due to damage to Akushey's glove.

This intervention sparked a heated reaction from Lartey, who stormed the ring, leading to the bout being declared a no-contest. The decision infuriated many fans, who left the arena in anger and disappointment.

Sai, a former national super-middleweight champion, was slapped with a two-year ban, effectively barring him from any boxing-related activities for his role in the tumultuous incident.

Lartey remains unapologetic about his actions, insisting he intervened to protect his boxer from perceived foul play. "I did nothing wrong. Everyone saw what was happening and how dicey and delicately poised things were. I took action to save and protect my boxer. I don’t regret it,” he told the Graphic Sports in response to the GBA's sanction.

The trainer is adamant that a comprehensive investigation is necessary and that those truly responsible for the night's disruptions should face harsher penalties.

He specifically pointed to Akushey’s camp and the involvement of Obodai Sai as key factors in the incident, demanding severe consequences for them.

“Obodai Sai must be severely punished and arraigned before the court of law. His gym, the Attoh Quarshie Gym, must be sanctioned,” Lartey stated emphatically.

He highlighted the need to eliminate such incidents to ensure the sport remains attractive to investors and sponsors. Lartey’s passionate plea underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in boxing, aiming to restore faith among fans and stakeholders alike.