Baubali, new face of pro boxing in Ghana

 THE names of Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko and Ayitey Powers are considered legends of professional boxing in Ghana not just because of the laurels they won.

These were boxers that started their careers from the middle weights and ended as light heavyweights and would go down in history as fighters that spiced the sport with entertainment.

In their absence, a new kid “Ernest Akushey” has emerged, cracking the ribs of fans with his showboating before and after fights.

Significantly, Banku and Powers failed to reach the heights of other legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Agbeko and others that jumped to stardom by winning world titles.

But Bukom Banku and Powers have a huge attraction and are even more popular than some of the world title winners, thanks to the entertainment and satirical moments they created around the sport.

Of the two, Powers has a poor fight record, losing more fights than what he won.

Bukom Banku became the WBO Africa light heavyweight champion for some time when he was signed by the Goldenmike Boxing Promotion.

The exit of the world champions created doubts in the minds of boxing lovers as to what the future holds but likes of Richard Commey and Isaac Dogboe emerged with successful world title bids.

Sadly, their reins didn’t last.

But the voids between those periods were always filled by these two boxing icons who always get the arena filled to capacity.

Be it individual clashes or the case of them facing each other, one thing would be guaranteed, that’s the arena would be filled to the brim.

What they lacked in laurels, they complement with the humorous events and activities before, during and after their fights. Their rendition of the English language would always attract the media for interviews.

Both are also musicians and always dazzle fans as special guests on the entertainment package that comes with the promotions.

A fight between Bukom Banku and Powers staged by Box Office Sports (BOS) grinded to a halt every activity in the capital. On both television and radio, issues about the fight dominated discussion programmes and on the fight night, fans filled the arena as early as 7pm. That is the kind of appeal they have on Ghana boxing.

In their retirement, they have tried to stay relevant, continuing with their episodes as Banku threatened to fight his own sons in the ring.

But while the Banku-Powers fever is die-down, Akushey appears to be in a position to sustain the comic moments, making the sport enjoy unprecedented trends in every corner.

The mention of his nickname Baubali will get the whole arena roar and get everyone fired up for an explosive evening.

In his last fight on Saturday against Jonathan Tetteh in a light heavyweight championship, he was kayoed on two occasions before ending it all in the seventh round.

In his post-fight comments, Baubali humbly admitted to losing to a better fighter but vowed to comeback for the title.

That comment attracted a huge applause from the fans who had followed him in both traditional and social media platforms.

Baubali videos have gone viral, showing fans which of his punches is capable of sending an opponent to the mortuary and which one could send one to Awudome (local cemetery in Accra).

He has other punches that makes an opponent sad and one that makes him laugh. These are what he brings to the table for Ghana boxing and he has been accepted.

 By Andrew Nortey