World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) Champion, Braimah Kamoko aka Bukom Banku, last Saturday overpowered Uruguayan Jorge Rodriguez Olivera in the fourth round to win yet another title- the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Light Heavyweight belt.
The event, which was put together by Golden Mike Boxing Promotions and held at the Accra International Conference Centre, was dubbed, ‘Night Of No Return’.
It was attended by important personalities including the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, John Mahama, Acting Minister of Youth and Sports Hon. Nii Nortey Duah, and boxing legend and Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Professor Azumah Nelson.
The unbeaten Banku with a record of 20-0-16 KOs, before beating his opponent to pulp, entered the ring dancing, singing and displaying his football skills to the admiration of the Vice-President and about 2,000 boxing fans who had thronged the venue.
After the national anthem of both countries, Banku, known for his ferocious punches, started the bout by unleashing a combination of left and right hooks, forcing the hapless Olivera to visit the canvas in round one.
Olivera, who was evidently shaken by the demeanour and showmanship of Bukom Banku, started the second round cautiously but there was no-stopping the Ghanaian.
Banku knocked down Olivera again in the third and fourth rounds forcing the Uruguayan’s corner to throw in the towel to save their boxer from further punishment.
In other bouts, Raymond Commey, who came in at the last minute as a substitute for Alfred Tetteh, beat Herbert Quartey by a knock out in the 6th round in a scheduled 8-round national contest.
Nana Beyin Brenya Bee lost to Ishmael Aryeetey by a unanimous points decision- 112-117, 113-116 and 105-118.
Sam Amoako failed to win the (WBO) Africa Light weight Championship after losing a split decision to Namibian Martin Haikali who managed to retain his crown, while Joshua Okine emerged winner of the Interim (WBO) Africa Welterweight eliminator bout when he defeated Australia-based Brazilian, Adonisio Francisco Reges by a TKO in the 4th round of their scheduled 10-round bout.
The most exciting bout of the night happened to be the 12-round Light Heavyweight national title fight which saw Michael Gbenga stopping favorite Ayitey Powers in the 9th round.