Boxing News of Tuesday, 20 May 2014

Source: allsports.com.gh

Bukom Banku to pull out of Russia fight

Braimah Kamoko will be forced to pull out of his impending WBC Silver Cruiserweight title fight against Rakhim Chackhkiev in Russia on May 30 after injuring his right hand in training.

Kamoko, famously nicknamed Bukom Banku is coming off a unanimous points’ decision victory over local rival, Ayitey Powers and was billed to take on the 31 year old Russian nicknamed The Machine at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow in what would have been his first fight out of this country.

But according to the unbeaten boxer’s manager, Kotei Neequaye, Banku went to hospital yesterday for medical assessment and has been advised by doctors he will need a break to get the hand healed. Consequently, the fight against Chakhkiev which is barely 11 days away now, cannot come off on May 30 as planned.

“It’s a big blow which is very unfortunate, we have received all our visas and the plan was to leave for the fight this weekend,” Mr. Neequaye told Allsports.com.gh exclusively.

“But the injury to his right hand means we can’t fight on May 30 otherwise he will be forced to fight with only his left hand. We were ready for the fight but now we have to change plans,” he added.

Kamoko extended his unbeaten record to 27 professional career fights, raking in 20 knockouts whilst Chakhkiev has won 18 fights and suffered one defeat with 14 knockouts and won the WBC Silver Cruiserweight belt only in March when he claimed a 9 round TKO over Juho Hapooja.