A controversial majority point decision gave George the Red Tiger Ashie, a win over his South African challenger, Michael Mokoena, in the WBO Africa Lightweight Championship.
TV3’s Peter Quao Adattor who watched the bout reports that the verdict got a cross section of patrons angry as Ashie himself admitted he had failed.
“I beg Ghanaians to forgive me. I did not do my best in this fight”, he stated after the fight.
It was a much anticipated bout after nearly four years of inaction. Both the Red Tiger and his followers were at the Bukom Boxing Arena to prove two points: that the epic bout at the Accra Sports Stadium was indeed robbed for game boy and also to show their readiness for the world.
But none of these came to pass after twelve ‘annoying’ rounds of boxing at the stroke of midnight Saturday April 27.
Having entered the ring with the controversial one corner song, the South African, drew the first blood on the call of referee May Mensah Akakpo, and sustained pressure with his long jabs in the opening two rounds.
The aggressive Michael Mokoena, cut opened the eyebrow of George Ashie in the third round, which the referee counted as an elbow.
This perhaps gingered the Red Tiger into action, landing a couple of upper cuts and straight punches to the face of Mokoena but failed to follow up to win a count.
The Red Tiger dazed his opponent again in round five but once again appeared lost as to what to do next.
This gave Michael Mokoena the opportunity to continue with his jabs and long range punches compelling George Ashie to clinch severally to avoid being taken down.
But the conspiracy was clear even before the final bell as May Mensah Akakpo clearly ignored countless low blows from George Ashie.
Even those he counted, he refused to deduct at least a point from the Red Tiger.
Two of the judges, scored the bout 117-115, 117-113 whilst the third saw it 116-116 in favour of the winner, George the Red Tiger Ashie, who himself admitted he did not perform.
“I beg Ghanaians to forgive me. I did not do my best in this fight. I will go back home prepare and come back. I never do well at all today but I promise to go back and prepare towards the defense of my title”, he pleaded.
Ashie told journalists after the fight “My opponent is a good boxer. He is very good and like myself, I can see him winning the world title in the near future”, he said.
Responding to question whether he would be prepared to give his opponent a rematch, Ashie responded in affirmative stating he would “anytime, any day”
Earlier, super bantamweight Isaac Sackey, grabbed the vacant African title ahead of his compatriot, Raymond ‘Chorkor Banku’ Commey in a convincing unanimous decision after twelve rounds.
Super middleweight ‘Obodai the miracle’ Sai, also announced his comeback with a first round knockout against Richard Ashong in a national contest, which was scheduled for eight rounds, and broke down in tears.
He told the fans later he was happy about the win and urged them to rally behind him to get back to the top of world boxing.
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