Boxing News of Wednesday, 17 September 2003

Source: GNA

Congo Soldier wants Abdulai Amidu in rematch

Accra, Sept 17 - GNA - Ben 'Congo Soldier' Ankrah, a top contender to the African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight crown has challenged Abduali Amidu, the champion to give him a rematch to settle, once and for all, who the better boxer is.

Speaking to the GNA Sports on Wednesday, the Congo Soldier said he has recovered sufficiently from his stomach trouble, which forced him to retire in the eighth round when they met at the Globe Cinema Hall about three months ago.

Ankrah, who was leading on the scorecards of two of the judges before pulling out of the previous contest, said he has begun training and would like any willing promoter to make the match in December.

"Amidu is holding the title in trust for me and I shall take over my property if he has the courage to accept my challenge and give me a rematch.

"I promise you, the fight will not last the distance because I am in a class of my own and my ambition is beyond Amidu and Africa. I want to be a world champion and I am going to work very hard to realise my objective," the Congo Soldier said.

He advised Amidu not to hide because he will pursue him to his hideout until he accepts to fight him, adding that some of Amidu's friends have told him that the champion said he would not risk his title by giving him a rematch as he suffered severe body pains after the first fight due to the power behind Ankrah;s punches.

Ankrah said he has even decided to increase his punching power in order to stop Amidu early in the fight to kill out any controversies and implored whoever will promote the fight to make an ambulance available to avoid a ring tragedy "because I will hit him with a sledge hammer and make him unconscious."

The Congo Soldier who holds a victory over Kpakpo 'The Exciting' Allotey, the African Boxing Council (ABC) lightweight champion said he was not interested in fighting Kpakpo for now.

"I want to prove that I am the best lightweight on the African continent, so after beating Amidu, I shall be prepared to face Kpakpo in a unification fight before I travel to Europe or America to pursue my career.