Allotey eyes world title

                                               Allotey with his manager Mr. Kwarteng (Tagor)

Newly crowned WBC International Silver welterweight champion Patrick Allotey on Tuesday presented his title belt he won recently to the Ghana Boxing Authority with the promise of going on to annex the WBC welterweight World Cup title in addition.

Known in boxing circles as “Poisonous Arrow”, Allotey stopped his Uganda born Swedish boxer Patrick Bogere in the 6^th round of their scheduled 10 round bout at the Water Front Congress SAS Radisson boxing arena in Stockholm, Sweden last Friday.

Flanked by his manager Mr.  Kwabena Amaning Kwarteng, an elated Allotey whose fight record now stands at 28 fights 22 knockout with no loss or draw stated that his victory has broken the spell of Ghanaian boxers who always fail to win bouts outside the country in recent times, “I believe this victory will inspire up and coming boxers to go out and bring honour to the country like I have done.”

Allotey addressing the media 

 

“Now my focus is on the WBC welterweight World Cup title, it is a tough tournament but I will do my best possible to win that title and possibly face multiple world champion Floyd Mayweather Jnr and help him suffer his first ever boxing defeat.”

 President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Mr. Peter Zwennes congratulated the boxer for his sterling performance adding that victory is a great source of pride for the present GBA and a further testimony that the future of the sport in the country looks bright.

“With this performance Allotey together with the likes of George Ashie, Emmanuel Tagoe, Albert Mensah, Richard Commey, Frederick Lante Lawson as well as the Samir Brothers, Bastie and Issah among other hold the key to the future success of Ghana boxing.

He urged him to keep focus and never rest on his oars because he is now the target for all the boxers in his division.

Head trainer of Allotey, Coach Ofori Asare revealed that it was his first ever fight outside the shore of the country and expressed happiness at his mental fortitude and the way he handled himself against the hostile crowd who he event won over to his side during the bout.

Allotey’s manager Mr. Kwarteng thanked his boxer for repaying the investment put in him and promised to do his best and get him a shot at the world title which he tasked him not to disappoint himself and Ghanaians when the time comes.

Allotey (middle) flanked by GBA boss Mr. Zwennes (left) & his manager on the right

 

Ghana Boxing Authority suspense referee Banor

 Referee Barnor-Suspended

 

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has suspended boxing referee-judge Roger Banor as a licensee of the Authority for four consecutive international/domestic boxing tournaments effective June 17^th for his abysmal showing during the Emmanuel Tagoe and Roland Pontillas fight at the Accra Sports Stadium on April 26….

Referee Barnor who officiated the said controversial bout came under serious condemnation from all quarters of the sport for what many described as open bias officiating during the WBA international fight between the two boxers which Tagoe won on points after recovering from a fourth round knockdown.

The thongs of condemnations which came his way were further cemented by former WBC Super featherweight champion Professor Azumah Nelson, boxing promoter Henry Manly-Spain as well as Ambassador Ray Quarcoo president of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF)

According to a letter dated June 17^th and signed by the Secretary-General of the GBA Mr. Patrick Johnson and addressed to referee Barnor noted that at a meeting held on June 4 the GBA Board unanimously decided that “your poor performance on the fight night constituted amongst other acts of misconduct and failure in your official duties for which the appropriate sanctions should be applied.”

The letter  copied to the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Federation (WBF), World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Organisation (WBO), World Boxing Union (WBU), Commonwealth Boxing Council (CBC), African Boxing Union (ABU), Azumah Nelson and Henry Manly-Spain, continued  “You are therefore suspended as a licensee of the GBA for four consecutive international and domestic boxing tournaments effective June 17^th to which all boxing sanctioning bodies have been informed accordingly of this decision.”

The letter further stated that the board also took a very serious view of the interview granted unethically by him to various media and press houses after the fight in which referee Barnor unfairly castigated certain prominent fellow licensees of the GBA and renowned boxing personalities including former World Boxing champion Azumah Nelson and the promoter/manager Mr. Henry Manly Spain of GoldenMike Promotion Syndicate for their post fight observations.

Referee Barnor who announced his premature retirement from the sport only to rescind his decision following what he described as unfair criticism after the bout has been tasked by the board to render unqualified and appropriate apologies to Messrs Azumah Nelson and Henry Manly Spain which must be carried with equal prominence in the media as was the case in the various interview he granted.

Commenting on the decision president of the GBA Mr. Peter Zwennes said they adopted the report of the committee put up to investigate the issues to serve as a deterrent to him as well as others budding young referees  who might want to bring the sport to shame.

He disclosed that the GBA is also lodging a complaint with the Benin boxing federation over the behavior of judge Adohn Bertin who according to the GBA boss scored a lopsided score 118-111 during the fight. His scoring in recent times when he comes to Ghana have been questionable, he added    

“The Rules and regulations are there to guide every referee-judge, they should not distort or dissuade them but keep to them and do their best to interpret rules for the good of the sport.” He advised up and coming referee-judges.