Agbeko and Yahaya asked to defend titles

Accra, Feb. 11, GNA - The Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC) has mandated two Ghanaian Commonwealth champions to engage in a mandatory defence of their titles by the close of March, 2005.

The two, Joseph Agbeko and Osmanu Yahaya are the only Ghanaian boxers on the CBC latest rankings with titles.

They are holders of the CBC Bantamweight and Super Welterweight championship titles and according to the current ratings of the Council, they are expected to defend their titles by the close of March to avoid being stripped of their titles.

Yahaya is however scheduled to defend his title before the said date against a yet to be named British opponent.

According to the managers of the boxer, who spoke to the GNA Sports, contractual arrangements are underway and the boxer is likely to mount the ring to defend his title on March 4, in London, England. The Ghanaian won the title in 2004, when he defeated British national, Jimmy Moore and his manager is confident that with his ward's performance last December, he is capable of defending the title successfully.

Agbeko, on the other hand is yet to know his fate following the absence of a worthy challenger. He defeated a fellow Ghanaian, Sumaila Badu last year to win the title.

Agbeko is likely to meet any of the seven contenders in his weight division for the defence of his title.

Among them are Steven Molitor of Canada and South African Gabriel Yahaza and Ghana's Anyetei Laryea.

The rest are Peter Culshaw, Dale Robinson and Noel Wilders all from England and Tanzanian Mbwana Matoumla.

Another Ghanaian boxer, Joshua Okine is scheduled to take a shot at the CBC Welterweight title against Fatau Onikeke of Nigeria on Friday, March 4 at the Azuma Nelson Sports Complex in Accra.