Black Bombers: Amadu Mohammed and Ebenezer Ankrah lose at at IBA World Championship in Dubai
Ghana’s push for glory at the 2025 IBA World Championships in Dubai fell short on a difficult day for the Black Bombers, as medal prospect Amadu Mohammed suffered a unanimous defeat to Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov in the men’s 54kg Round of 32.
Mohammed, who entered the competition carrying the confidence of his 2024 African Games gold, never quite found the rhythm he needed and saw his hopes of progressing dashed by the judges’ scorecards.
His exit came shortly after teammate Ebenezer Ankrah was also eliminated, ending his bid for a quarter-final berth. Both Mohammed and Ankrah leave Dubai with one win and one loss each in a tournament that drew more than 400 boxers from 108 nations. Emmanuel Mawuli, the third Ghanaian in the lineup, lost his opening bout.
Team Ghana faced additional challenges outside the ring after head coach Akai Nettey missed the trip due to injuries sustained in an accident while on assignment with Besesaka Boxing. In his absence, a seasoned Botswana trainer stepped in to guide the boxers.
Despite the setbacks, the trio remain bright prospects for the future:
- Amadu Mohammed, a continental champion last year, continues to be seen as one of Ghana’s leading hopes on the amateur circuit.
- Ebenezer Ankrah competed at the 2024 IBA Youth World Championships, reaching the Round of 32, and is expected to build on that experience.
- Emmanuel Mawuli, already unbeaten in 13 professional bouts with 10 knockouts, brought valuable ring craft to the squad and is considered one of the country’s rising stars.
The Black Bombers will now shift focus to future competitions as they regroup and rebuild toward their next major international campaign.