Boxing News of Thursday, 1 February 2007

Source: GNA

Amidu/Ashie gear up for the fight of the year

Accra, Feb 1, GNA - For the first in many years, boxing fans will have the pleasure of watching a high profile fight for their monies worth.

The fans will no longer have any regrets for staying awake on a long night just to watch a fight they have been yearning for. The good news is that new boxing sensation and a product of Mortein Boxing League, George Ashie will mount the ring to battle Yakubu Amidu, West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) and Africa Boxing Union's (ABU) Super Featherweight Champion in an elimination bout at the El-Wak Sports Stadium on March 10.

According to Mr Al Hamilton, Chairman of the Commonwealth Sports Awards, (CSA) organizers of the event, the winner will be guaranteed a Commonwealth title shot, a World Boxing Association (WBA) Intercontinental title fight and a possible world title attempt by the close of the year.

The bout forms part of a mouth-watering package put together by the Commonwealth Sports Awards (CSA) in conjunction with Ambitions Boxing Promotion Syndicate as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The bout obviously presents the best birth day package for the nation, especially for boxing fans as the two boxers have fast established themselves in their ranks as being among the big boys. Both boxers are part of the 93Team Ghana" of the Ghana Boxing Authority's (GBA) dream project that is aimed at producing a world champion in the shortest possible time.

Amidu, a nominee for the 2006 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) 91Professional Boxer of the Year Award', might look too huge a task for the young Ashie but the latter seem equal to the task having put up a splendid performance recently in the United Kingdom in his attempt to annex the Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) Super Featherweight title.

He also compensated his fans with a unanimous win over Thomas Aryeetey recently.

Mr Hamilton said the camps of the two boxers have agreed on common terms and contracts covering the fight and have signed up accordingly. He said Amidu's camp demanded a substantial amount of purse, a neutral referee and judges for the bout, which have been granted hence they are looking forward for a good on the night.

Two other elimination bouts have been fixed for the same night. They are a Super Middleweight bout between Charles 93Crusader" Adamu and Michael Gbenga, whilst former CBC Welterweight champion, Joshua Okine takes on Philip Kotey.

Mr Hamilton said plans are far advanced to put across Commonwealth title fights on the night as well as other supporting bouts. He said the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) is working on the proposed Commonwealth title fights and the details will soon be made public. The CSA Chairman noted that his outfit will do everything possible to get the fights on board saying 93no stone will be left unturned in our quest to organize these fights".