Boxing News of Saturday, 17 May 2008

Source: GNA

Plange shows class at GAABA Championships

Accra, May 17, GNA - Fit Square Gym's Manyo Plange proved his status as a member of the national amateur boxing team, Black Bombers when he defeated Jessy Lartey of the same gym last Friday in a Flyweight contest during seventh week of the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing Association (GAABA) League. Plange, Africa's top most ranked in the Light Flyweight division and 14th in the world, was a delight to watch as he combined effectively with punches from both hands despite stiff opposition from Lartey. The southpaw proved to all that his position as the continent's number one is no fluke as he dominated convincingly and cruised to split decision win.

Many had predicted an easy win for Plange but Lartey won the hearts of the fans despite losing the fight. In the Middleweight division, Habib Ahmed, another member of Black Bombers was unanimously declared winner over Iddrisu Issaka of Ashaiman Gym.

Issaka in his debut at the championships forced Habib to his corner on most occasions throughout the stipulated four rounds. Duke Micah completed a double for Fit Square Gym in the Flyweight division when he defeated Sulemana Tetteh of Wisdom Gym while Emmanuel Quartey also defeated James Kotey in the Bantamweight division. In the Light Welterweight divison, Benjamin Lamptey defeated Joshua Addy after Addy's corner threw in the towel to save him from Lamptey. Michael Pappoe of Panix Gym was declared winner after his opponent Azumah Alanri of Ultimate Gym failed to show up. Believers Gym's Emmanuel Abu defeated Francis Gapetor of Ultimate by unanimous decision in their Lightweight division, Charles Azumah of Attoh Quarshie also defeated Emmanuel Tagoe of Sonia Gym in a Middleweight clash.

Moses Domenyo of Square Deal Gym provided the shocker of the bill when he stopped "the Pride of Ashaiman" Felix Agbozo in the first round of their Light Welterweight contest while Victor Kuwornu of Bronx Gym maintained his impressive run by beating Richard Amefu of Sparta Gym in the Lightweight division. In the Featherweight division, Bright Ayala of Wisdom Gym was declared winner after Richard Quartey of Black Panthers was disqualified in the third round for consistent clinching.