Boxing News of Friday, 20 July 2007

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AAG: Four Ghanaians in boxing finals

All four members of the Black Bombers, Ghana's boxing team, who got to the quarter final stage at the 9th All Africa Games in Algiers, have zoomed into the final with impressive victories.

Issa Samir, fighting in the 54kg class, posted the most impressive result when he knocked out Ikjopolong Khumiso of Botswana to advance into reckoning for either gold or silver.

In a closely-fought contest, the Ghanaian resisted the aggression of his opponent and dictated the pace at certain stages to prove his readiness for any eventuality.

When the opening came, Samir delivered a right cross, followed by a sterling left hook which stunned and dazed his opponent and confined him to the canvas for the referee to stop proceedings.

Earlier, Manyo Plange (48kg) had outpointed Gabonese Mikaimo Jnr 27-6 to reach the final.

Bastir Samir, elder brother of Issa, re-enacted the family trait with an 11-2 decision over Hossam Basher of Egypt in the 69kg division, while Ahmed Saraku's style and aggression were too much for his Kenyan opponent, who fell 9-20 to the Ghanaian.

In the finals billed for Saturday, Plange will slug it out with Southman Bilali of Kenya to determine who wins the gold and Issa Samir will have a difficult task against homeboy Ouradi Abdulrahim of Algeria.

The crowd will certainly be behind Kassel Nabil of Algeria when he confronts Saraku in the finals of the 75kg class, but the Ghanaian has exhibited enough bravado and artistry since arriving at the games and can defy home support to win.

Bastir Samir will challenge Tunisian Merdassi Rached for the ultimate in the 69kg category.