Boxing News of Wednesday, 10 March 2004

Source: GNA

Fans call for Agbeko, Akaba match-up

Accra, March 10, GNA - There was a heated argument at Bukom on Tuesday evening between supporters of Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko and Osumanu "Golden Boy" Akaba as to who is the better of the two pugilists. The supporters of Agbeko who by far outnumbered those of Akaba postulated that the new World Boxing Council (WBC) International champion would not go the distance when he engages Agbeko in a fight.

A spokesman for the supporters of Agbeko, Nii Okine Hammond boasted to the GNA Sports that Agbeko would demolish both Malik Jabir and Akaba in one night.

He challenged the GNA reporter to hype a match-up between the new champion and Agbeko, who is currently looking for fights in the U.K. Nii Okine said it did not matter if Agbeko was not a full-fledged featherweight, adding that he believed the "King Kong" would stop many feather and super featherweights even with his super bantamweight status.

On the other hand, supporters of Akaba whose views were aired by Philip Adotey believed that the WBC International champion has come of age and there is no boxer in his division in the country who can go the distance with him.

"My brother, go tell them make they do the fight and we go see who go be winner. I swear, Akaba na real champion, nobody go fit am in this Africa," he said in pidgin English.

When tempers calmed down, GNA Sports established contact with Agbeko at his London base on the issue and he said he would not pull out of any fight if the stakes were good.

"He said he was very happy for Akaba for becoming a world champion and advised him to train hard because "keeping the title is more difficult than winning it."

Agbeko who was one time International Boxing Federation (IBF) world bantamweight champion, said he would not challenge Akaba for his title but would not decline to fight him if a credible promoter makes the fight, adding that Akaba would not go the distance with him.

On his stay in London, Agbeko said three fights arranged for him were all botched because his opponents withdrew at the last minute after watching clips of his previous fights.

He said he was training hard and would grab any championship opportunity with both hands "because I am hungry for a world title." Akaba stopped Malik to win the WBC International featherweight crown at the weekend and many boxing fans believe an Akaba - Agbeko fight will be a sell out.