Boxing: Gt. Accra Outclasses Nigeria Team

The Greater Accra Amateur Boxing team churned out of a classy performance to overcome Joint Association Boxers (JAB) of Nigeria, winning six out of the seven bouts in a one-day tournament last Friday.

The bouts which set the Prisons Canteen alive saw Raphael Mensah emerging Ghana's only casualty as he lost by a majority decision to Nigeria's Sikiru Ojo in a bantamweight contest.

And most impressive on the evening was the eventual boxer of the tournament and team captain, Ben Lamptey, who defeated Abiodum Mustapha in the light welterweight division.

Lamptey defied Mustapha's reach and used his trademark right jab to penetrate the latter's guard.

The young Ghanaian also worsened his opponent's plight when a stinging right dazed him, forcing Referee Amerley Turkson to do the mandatory count in round three.

Mustapha beat the count only to be knocked down in the fourth round. He survived and managed to finish the round but lost by an unanimous decision to Lamptey.

Michael Ofei Dodoo also sold a class act after defeating Kazeen Saka in a featherweight contest.

 Saka was aggressive but Dodoo stunned him with a higher and more effective punch rate.

Featherweight Isaac Sackey had earlier set a good precedent when he also totally overpowered Idris Badmus with his stinging jabs and three-punch combinations.

In as much as Badmus lost, he landed a heavy jab through Sackey's guard which left him with a broken nose.

Ebenezer Sowah, a welterweight, also followed the victory trail by defeating Ibrahim Kodin in the welterweight division.

Jesse Lartey, a flyweight, managed to inch past stubborn Tajudeen Amusa with a majority decision.

Charles Stella won by a controversial majority decision after surving a tough challenge from Monsuru Akanji.

At a short closing ceremony, medals and certificates were presented to all the boxers and their officials. Lamptey received a trophy for emerging boxer of the tournament.

The event was also witnessed by the likes of Ghana Olympic Committee President B.T. Baba, Mr Erasmus Adorkor, Deputy Chief Sports Development Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC).

Story by Nathaniel Attoh