Boxing News of Monday, 14 March 2005

Source: GNA

Ankrah/Mohammed for rematch on April 1

Accra, March 14, GNA - Bilal Mohammed and Ben Ankrah are billed to battle for the vacant National and West Africa Lightweight title on April 1, at the Azumah Nelson Sports Complex in Accra.

The fight will be the second time the two boxers are meeting this year after the first fight ended controversially at the same venue. This was after Ankrah complained of abdominal pains as a result of what was described as a "below the belt" punch from Mohammed and that compelled the referee to declare the fight as a technical draw since it did not travel over five rounds.

The decision of the referee raised eyebrows as supporters of Mohammed believed it was a legitimate punch, hence the fight should have gone their boxer's way whilst Ankrah's followers were of the view that Mohammed should have be disqualified.

Next month's bout will therefore provide the two boxers the opportunity to test their real strength and capabilities. It would be recalled that prior to the March 4 controversial fight, Mohammed opted out of a scheduled bout against Ankrah few hours before the fight as result of abdominal pains.

The fight is among four other bouts sanctioned by the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) according to information gathered by the GNA Sports. Following this, Alhaji Tofik's Ambitions Boxing Promotion Syndicate has been given the mandate to stage the fight.

Also ap0pearing on the bill is entertaining Braimah Kamoko alias "Bukom Banku" who would be coming up against Michael Gbenga, a Nigerian boxer based in Ghana.

Kamoko who hardly travels the full distance in most of his fights is expected to face a stiff opposition from Gbenga who is on record to have an impressive record of 11 knockouts out of his 11 fights.

Philip Kotey and Lartei Hammond will vie for the National Welterweight title whilst Thomas Awinbono will come up against Ishmael Tetteh in the National Super Welterweight Championship. Agoe Ashong and Joseph Kwadjo's fight will end entertaining night as they compete for the West Africa Welterweight Championship belt.