Accra, Feb 16, GNA - The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has declared Osmanu Yahaya, Commonwealth Boxing Council's (CBC), Super Welterweight Champion as the 2004 "Boxer of the Year".

Yahaya's award was arrived at following his exploits in both the local and international scenes in 2004, where he won two Commonwealth titles in the last quarter of the year.

The boxer popularly known as "Ossie Duran", out-pointed his Ghanaian opponent, Joshua "Bukom Tsatsu" Okine to win the CBC Welterweight title. His exploits were extended beyond the shores of Ghana in the same year when he defeated British boxer, Jimmy Moore to win the Super Welterweight title in December.

The boxer is among 24 boxers picked by the GBA to form the "Team Ghana", which is a composition of Ghanaian boxers capable of winning world titles in the near future.

Yakubu Aminu and George Ashie and Josuha Clottey and Raymond Narh will pick the joint awards as "Best Mortein Boxer of the Year" and "Most Improved Boxer of the Year" respectively, with Frank Dodze winning the "Most Promising Boxer of the Year" award.

On the promotional and managerial front, Mr Anthony Kermah of Kermah Boxing Promotions Syndicate has been adjudged "Best Manager of the Year".

Mr Kermah is the manager of James Toney, World Boxing Council (WBC) International and CBC Middleweight Champion and Abdulai Amidu, Africa Boxing Union (ABU) Lightweight champion.

Jumus Boxing Promotions Syndicate picked the "Best Promoters" award for organising most of the high profile boxing events in 2004. The syndicate staged a ten round contest between Ike Quartey and Clint Scot McNeil of United States of America (USA) as well as CBC Welterweight championship fight between Yahaya and Okine. Other award winners are Godfred Cobblah - "Referee of the Year" and Ataa Eddie Pappoe as the "Best Judge" with Godwin Dzanie Kotey as the "Best Trainer".

King Toney Akwetey will receive a special award for long service award, whilst Sugar Ray Acquaye and Surpriser Sowah will receive the "Heroes award".

The awards are in recognition of the performances of the distinguished boxers, promoters, referees, judges and coaches in the year 2004.

The GBA will in March organise a special award ceremony to formalise the presentation to the winners with their awards.