Sports News of Thursday, 22 August 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

I didn't want to die in Australia - Ayittey Powers opens up on toughest fight

Retired Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayittey Powers Retired Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayittey Powers

Retired Ghanaian boxer Michael Ayittey Powers has relived the most traumatic experience of his professional boxing career.

At the peak of his prowess, Ayittey Powers had a number of fights in Australia where he gained fame and wealth for his exploits.

In an interview with TV3, Ayittey Powers disclosed details of the one fight that almost made him give up on the sport.

"Rey Caballero is the one. I fought him fourteen years ago in Australia. I was misled that he was my weight class when in actual fact he was heavyweight. I got to Australia and when I saw him during the weigh-in, I was petrified.

"I couldn't pull out of the fight because I was already there and I couldn't come back with an empty pocket. During the fight, he threw a hook and I dodged it, but the air alone almost made me fall.

"He threw another jab and even though it didn't get to me, I fell down but the referee tried to force me to get up. I didn't want to die," he said.

Ayittey Powers also shared the difficult experience he endured following the death of TB Joshua.

"Sometimes when I reflect on his death, I realize that God works in mysterious ways. How could Prophet TB Joshua die at that age? He called me to visit his church, and I planned to go in two weeks, but he passed away before then.

"He mentioned he wouldn’t celebrate his birthday, and we didn’t know he was going to die. We discussed many things together. So, TB Joshua’s death pains me more than the death of my mother and father,” he said.