Last Thursday night, Faisal Abubakari decisively defended his WBO Africa junior welterweight title by brutally defeating Abdul Zugo of Tanzania in four rounds.
However, tumultuous events spoiled the electrifying mood at Accra’s Bukom Boxing Arena, reigniting worries about crowd control and security at fight sites in Ghana.
On Ghana’s 68th Independence Day commemoration, thousands of people flocked to the arena to watch an exciting combat event that was supposed to be a celebration of boxing greatness.
Due to the careless behavior of a few unruly supporters, the event, which was organized by debutant syndicate Power Punch Promotions in association with Legacy Rise Sports Promotions, deteriorated into chaos while offering top-notch action inside the ring. Encouraged by his army of supporters from the Sabon Zongo area of Accra, Abubakari overcame the unbeaten Zugo in a slugfest. Despite displaying tenacity early on, the Tanzanian was unable to respond to the fourth round’s bell, ensuring Abubakari’s third successful WBO Africa title defense.
New national champions were also crowned that evening. Daniel Otoo defeated Cann Kotey Neequaye in a tough 10-round bout to win the national super bantamweight title, while Mawuli Folivi defeated Kinda Kouengoue in three rounds to win the national light heavyweight championship.
Ref abandons fight, causing chaos
Up until the seventh round, when mayhem broke out, the eagerly awaited main event between unbeaten opponents Henry Malm and Derrick Quaye was living up to the hype.
Referee Shadrack Acquaye was forced to stop the bout after being struck by a foreign object, which was allegedly a water bottle thrown from the audience.
According to witnesses, the altercation began when Quaye’s supporters threw bottles—some of which were purportedly filled with urine—at Malm’s corner, setting off a full-scale fight as items flew from the stands. Officials and judges also left their positions in protest, and referee Acquaye, who was allegedly hurt in the altercation, left the ring. Despite Malm and Quaye’s desire to continue, the fight was essentially called off because there was no referee or any officials present.
In addition to shortening the main event, the disturbance resulted in the postponement of a highly anticipated undercard fight between Nigeria’s Sodiq Oyakojo and former WBO Africa and Global champion Wasiru “Gyata Bi” Mohammed.
John Manfo, Mohammed’s manager, voiced his annoyance at the monetary losses.
“I paid for the boxer’s lodging, food, and transportation when I brought him in, and now they’re even want their purse. “It’s annoying,” Mr. Manfo complained. “Investors avoid boxing for precisely this reason. “You invest resources only to have everything ruined by rowdy fans,” he said.
Even though there were a lot of police officers at the location, protection was insufficient at the crucial time. In order to restore order, a group of roughly 20 military officers invaded the ring. These officers had come to support Bismark Saah, a fellow serviceman who is now a boxer.
They were unable to capture the person who started the disturbance, though.
Challenges with crowd control
Concerns over crowd control at boxing events in Ghana have once again been highlighted by the unsightly sights at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Following similar occurrences at two significant fight nights hosted by Ayitey Powers Promotions in 2024, this is the third consecutive high-profile event to be interrupted by crowd violence.
Suspicions that the venue was dangerously overcrowded are also becoming stronger. Some supporters broke into the media stand in the crowded venue, damaging the equipment and other belongings of the journalists.
This has raised concerns about whether the organizers sold more tickets than the stadium could hold and whether the management of the site, Trust Sports Emporium, is exercising appropriate monitoring when leasing the arena.
It’s interesting to note that co-promoter Sharaf Mahama and his group departed the arena after only three rounds of the main event, possibly feeling that tensions were building among the overly enthusiastic fans.