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Has Samir Bastie thrown away his golden punch?
Samir – A wasted career?
On October 21, 2017, a relatively ‘unknown’ boxer in the person of Bastie Samir, stunned many followers of the nation’s pugilistic sport when he humiliated Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko in a non-title fight at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
The more popular Banku was brutally stopped in round seven of their scheduled 12, catapulting the victor into instant stardom.
The loud-mouthed Bukom Banku, until that epic fight that drew a mammoth crowd, was unbeaten – winning all 29 fights. Indeed, Banku called himself the African Mayweather, insisting he had no peers in the sport – at least, on the continental front.
Perhaps, unknown to many, Bastie – then impregnable in 16 fights, had dared Banku to a fight on countless occasions. He told the media how ready he was to lash Banku to pulp anytime the opportunity presented itself.
“Only a handful believed me when I said I was going to beat Banku like my own son. Many thought I was just bragging like others do. No! It’s not my style to brag. I believe the business had to be done in the ring,” Bastie told The Spectator Sports.
As a matter of fact, Bastie’s unassuming nature, discipline, focus, commitment and hardwork to the sport and above all, respect for the commonalty, has served as his own inspiration over the years.
Since that fight five years ago, Bastie had gone into a few combats – crushing his opponents via the short route. His ring-craftiness and invincibility has woven an appreciable level of popularity around him – extending to his halcyon amateur days where he won two gold medals and several honours.
Sadly, a couple of overseas-based boxing management teams have chased Bastie, known as the Beast (for his brutality in the ring) including the Australia-based Super Entertainment & Sport Consortium, but the Ghanaian boxer has almost always dragged his feet or chickened out – to the incredulity of all.
He once told this writer that the offers thrown at him, were not enticing as he would have loved – hence his reluctance to fully jump in or remain on board. Though one has tried hard convincing him to try and find a middle ground, he remains inflexibly adamant.
Interestingly, the undefeated light heavyweight champion insists he can still box his path to become a world champion – a statement many people are now casting doubt over, believing time is no longer his ally.
Indeed, at age 37, he should be preparing to hang his gloves – but the formidably-bodied man thinks his silver lining is still hanging in the cloud.
“Never count me out yet. I believe what God has written would still come to pass,” he asserted.
Born to a former boxer, Bastie learned the gospel of punches to the head, face and body of opponents as a kid before venturing into the ring. Given his then fledgling body and living under the tutelage of his inspiring father, a solemn and decisive moment dawned for a new path, in spite of the odds that were stacked against him to prefer education to boxing.
Famished for fame, the Doobia threw overboard the academic pursuit to hunt for opponents and handlers in the fistic sport. There is no doubt that his entrenched tenacity, passion and aggression to ride on the crest wave can be said to have been the driving force in the boxer’s string of impressive haul of 21 fights and 20 wins by way of knockouts.
The Doobia clawed some massive approval when American showy boxer, Floyd Mayweather, enlisted the Ghanaian boxing genius as his sparring partner – later joining the camp of the famous boxing trainer and manager Kennedy Adams of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.
Seeing the prodigious talent of the youngster, De La Hoya signed a managerial and promotion contract to have Bastie under his tutelage. However, things did not work out prettily well – and the Doobia had to return home together with his equally talented brother Issah Samir who was also signed on.
The hard-hitting Bastie wrestled the African Amateur Championships title in the welterweight division in May 2007 and later represented Ghana and won silver at the 2007 All Africa Games where he qualified for the Beijing 2008 Olympics to represent the nation in the light heavyweight division.
He relocated to the US in 2008 and won many professional bouts there – crushing the likes of Mavin Blair, Jacob Alvarez, Joseph Dunn, Damon Reed, Billy Cunningham, and Greg Hacket. His sixth round split draw with Lester Gonzalez in April 2011 is the only blemish on his glitzy record.
Today, many experts think Bastie’s career has gone waste – an upshot of managerial upheavals, flawed decisions and indecisions. The former PBC Intercontinental light heavyweight champion, may have gone through some psychological wreckage and many wonder whether he could roll back the years and sparkle again.
Can the Doobia, who has returned to the USA (specifically Las Vegas, Nevada) still prove everybody wrong?
Ghanaians cannot wait for that golden moment!
PlainTalk with John Vigah
The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has issued a strong public statement calling for an end to what he describes as continuous attacks on his brand, following an apology from media commentator Awal Mohammed.
In the statement, Shatta Wale acknowledged the apology but stressed that persistent criticism and what he sees as deliberate attempts to damage his image must stop.
He noted that for many years, he has spoken for the streets, the youth, and people who feel ignored by society, while also promoting Ghana on the global stage and creating jobs through his work.
He expressed concern that some media personalities, commentators, and influential figures continue to target his name unfairly.
According to him, the issue goes beyond music and touches on respect, fairness, and national maturity.
The musician warned that continued disrespect toward voices that represent ordinary people could have wider consequences.
He emphasised that the Shatta Movement remains strong and organized, and that the patience of the masses should not be taken for granted.
He added that if systems continue to fail the people, they have the ability to organize politically through numbers and truth, not violence or hate.
Shatta Wale clarified that his message was not a threat but a reminder of reality, stressing that attacking a symbol that represents millions of people can have social, cultural, and democratic effects.
He called for respect, fairness, and unity, saying the voice of the people will always rise.
The statement comes after Awal Mohammed recently described Shatta Wale fans during a public discussion as junkies.
The comments triggered backlash from fans of the musician, prompting Awal to later issue an apology.
By: Jacob Aggrey
