The ever escalating tribal conflict in Bawku in the Upper East Region has taken a new twist as individuals and families are getting attacked in other places in the country with the latest being a 38 year old woman in Accra, Samira Abdul Rahman who is still in shock over an armed attack on her house over the weekend by suspected thugs from one faction of the conflict.

The thugs apparently were acting on suspicion that Samira’s dad  was sponsoring another faction in the ongoing conflict in that part of the country with arms.

The victim fortunately escaped the fury of the heavily armed gang because she and her family had travelled outside the country for a vacation.

According to close sources, Samira’s dad, one Abdul Rahman Iddriss, lives in Bawku but stays with his daughter whenever he travels to Accra to do business.

The opposing faction apparently got a hint that Abdul Rahman Iddris (Samira’s father) was getting finance from his son and daughter, resulting in the son getting killed recently in Bawku by unknown gunmen.

They, therefore, plotted the attack on Samira by sending mercenaries all the way from Bawku to 'silence' Samira  in Accra with very dangerous weapons.

Things did not go as planned for the gang, however, as they stormed Samira’s matrimonial home where she lives with her husband and children only to meet her and the entire family's absence due to a short vacation outside Ghana.

The gang, however, made their presence felt and made it clear what their mission was to neighbours who were awoken by the loud chants in the middle of the night. During the raid, they also destroyed a lot of property in the house.

Apparently, this is not the first time Samira has been targeted. According to sources, she once escaped a near death incident in her previous place of abode in Tema, also in the Greater Accra Region, which warranted her move to her new location in Achimota, a suburb of Accra.

That's not all. Samira and the extended family in Bawku are still living in fear because the father, Abdul Rahman Iddriss, has gone missing, he has not been heard from, and all efforts to locate him have so far proved futile. The suspicion is that the thugs may have gotten to him, possibly killed and dumped his body somewhere.

By Mohammed Farouk, Achimota

According to Freezy Macbones “Life is so funny, I still remember when I came to London for the first time. I was stranded, couldn’t speak good English. A whole lot happened and I ended up sleeping outside

Seth Gyimah aka MacBones is now a hot sports personality in the UK.

He had his second professional fight on the undercard of Joe Joyce vs Zhilei Zhang last Saturday night, and he won.

Boxing fans really love his style because they say he fights like Mike Tyson.

MacBones also likes being labelled as the ‘British Mike Tyson’, which he takes as a huge compliment.

“It’s huge,” MacBones said. “It’s like someone comparing a Christian to Jesus, it’s a big thing because Mike is the GOAT in the game.

“His skills and style were different and up to today we haven’t seen anything like that, so for people to say I fight like Tyson, it means a lot because he is a guy I look up to.

“People say I’m the British Mike Tyson and it makes me work harder. Obviously, I’m not Mike and I can’t be like him, he’s the only one, nobody can be like him, but we always learn from each other.”

Tyson was not the only fighter who lured MacBones to start boxing, but he was also inspired after watching the Mayweather Jr vs Manny Pacquiao fight in 2015.

“That was the first time I paid more attention to boxing. I was a big fan of Mike Tyson back home and he was the only boxer I knew, so when I saw Mayweather and Pacquiao and the way Mayweather was running around the ring, I thought ‘I can do this job’ I used to call him chicken and laugh,” MacBones revealed.

At 33 years old, and with only 18 amateur fights and one professional bout to his name, MacBones has come to the sport very late, but he still has lofty ambitions.

 “One thing about Freezy is I don’t look at what others are doing, I only look at what I am doing and where I am going and I want the best for myself, so I always keep working,” MacBones explained.

“I know I started late, but it doesn’t mean I can’t do it or it’s not possible and I’m going to make it possible. It’s late but it’s how you end up and I want to be a world champion one day.”

The first step on that journey was on Saturday night when MacBones defeated veteran journeyman, Darryl Sharp, at the Copper Box Arena.

In terms of a prediction for fight night, MacBones kept it short and sweet, as he said: “If he touch my face he’s going down.” And he did it in style.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Less than a week after his loss to Robeisy Ramirez in Oklahoma, former world champion Isaac Dogboe is back to training.

Picture - Dogboe gets busy on the mitts with Coach Patrice Harris

Dogboe, who lost via a unanimous decision to Cuba’s Robeisy Ramirez, also lost the opportunity to annex the vacant WBO featherweight title, which was previously held by Emmanuel Navarrete.

“I am feeling very fine and good. Life goes on. I need to get myself back in the groove, and I am more than ready for it,” he told Joy Sports at the Headbangers Gym in Washington DC.

The former WBO super bantamweight champion immediately got to some mitt work and shadow sparring and skipping under the supervision of his trainers led by Barry Hunter.

Isaac Dogboe having a word with his trainer Barry Hunter on his first day of training after the Ramirez bout

“I am glad he has put the loss behind him. The good thing is that he is looking good and did not get hurt in the bout. So we are getting back to work,” Barry Hunter added.

In Dogboe’s post-bout interview with Joy Sports at the Hard Rock Casino, he indicated that he would take some time off to rest, a plan his head trainer also approved.

“I did mention I would take time off to rest, but I realized I would get bored. Besides, I’m not hurt, so I would rather come to the gym and get the work started,” Dogboe said.

Isaac Dogboe lost out on the WBO featherweight title after losing unanimously to Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The judges scored the bout 117-110, 118-109, and 119-108 for Ramirez.

Source My joyonline

BRITISH boxing may have a modern day version of Mike Tyson coming through the amateur ranks.

Preferring to go by his ring persona Freezy MacBones, the 31-year-old is poised to turn pro - and he has already enjoyed a stunning audition.

A trial fight was arranged by a promotional company, wanting to see what the Brixton-based slugger was all about.

He went in the ring against a man significantly bigger, but soon had him knocked spark out with his head resting on the bottom rope.

Reflecting on the fight, the light-heavyweight told Sky Sports: "Everything was cool until he hit me hard.

"A week later I've seen the video, 50 Cent, [Floyd] Mayweather, everyone was posting it. It was crazy.

"Everyone was asking, who is this guy? That's how it happened."

And on comparisons with a certain American known as 'The Baddest Man On The Planet', MacBones added: "I like it. I'm happy they call me Britain's Mike Tyson.

"Let's put joking aside, that's what I asked for and I have it."

That came in 2019 - and now the Ghana-born bruiser has revealed the announcement for his debut pro fight will be made soon.

He took to Twitter to say: "Announcement for my first professional fight will be out soon can’t wait …"

Tyson was described as having a 'peekaboo style' of boxing, using the angles and ducking in and out - something MacBones clearly follows judging by his training clips.

And of course there was the stunning 44 KOs in 56 fights that made him one of the most-feared heavyweights of his time.

MacBones moved to London from Ghana in 2012 and has only been boxing for around four years - but has already created a menacing aura about him.

He has shared clips of him in the gym with former WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua.

MacBones has six amateur losses - but does not believe these will define how far he can go in the pro game.

MacBones added: "A lot of criticism comes to you. How did this guy lose six? He's not Mike Tyson, he's not that.

"Amateur is a foundation. It's the foundation of boxing before you turn pro. If you don't have any amateur record or history, how can you become a good boxer?

"I use my losses to motivate me to become who I am. It makes me savage, an animal."

Fans are desperate to see the fighter in professional action, and he teased at finally going pro next year.

In an interview with First Round Media, he said: "I don’t want to be like other boxers who turn pro, they go inside there, and they keep lost and lost.

"Obviously, I lost six fights in amateur, and I don’t want to be like that in my professional profile.

"I would say next year Freezy will come out, but I can’t give you [specific] time.

"December, October, or November next year or something, but Freezy will come out no matter what. It’s about time, baby!"

By John Hutchinson / The Sun

Ghanaian Super Middleweight boxer Sena Agbeko who has really worked his way into the limelight of world boxing has been pulled out of the top Showtime Boxing show on Saturday April 22, 2023 against David Morrell as the main undercard in the bill of Garcia against Davis at in the USA.

He has been replaced with former 2012 Olympic Light heavyweight bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao.

Reports say he is not licensed by the Nevada State Athletics Commission.

The bout was the most high profile of the under cards on the Ryan Garcia-Gervonta Davis bill at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Agbeko has a record of 27 wins (21KO) and two defeats, while the Cuban-native who came to Minneapolis to begin his pro career in 2019, Morrell (8-0, 7 KOs) has quickly shown off the talents that made him a standout in Cuba’s storied amateur scene.

The 25-year-old captured an interim title by dominating then-unbeaten Lennox Allen in August 2020 in just his third pro fight. Morell, who trains in Texas with renowned coach Ronnie Shields, added two dominant knockout victories in 2022 as he stopped Kalvin Henderson in June before a 12th-round TKO of the previously unbeaten Aidos Yerbossynuly in November.

Agbeko 31 said he wants to bring the title home to Ghana to prove that Ghana still has the warriors to become champions, but false reports has deprived him the opportunity.

He trained as a journalist while growing in the motherland at the Ghana Institute of Journalism before moving to the boxing gym in the USA.

He loved training and hard work, so it is not surprising that he has reached this height in boxing.

Sena Agbeko was ranked as the ninth contender in the World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Middleweight division in the latest rankings released by the body.

Also known as “The African Assassin”, Agbeko has been on a three-fight winning streak though Morrell was the heavy favourite to win the bout.

Morrell has won seven of his eight professional bouts via knockouts after an impressive amateur career.

Its really bad news for Sena Agbeko as despite being cleared by Dr. Michael Seiff, a neurosurgeon who’s been practicing for over 35yrs.

The event is promoted by GTD Promotions, TGB Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The President-Elect for Rugby Africa, Mr Herbert Mensah has reiterated his promise to pursue projects aimed at enhancing Sports Developments in Africa and Ghana.

Mr Mensah made this known when he paid a working visit to the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Prof. Peter Twumasi to express his appreciation for his support during the just ended Rugby Africa Executive Elections.

He noted that having the support of the Authority and government was very instrumental, adding that his vast knowledge and experience in Sports Administration has prepared him for the task ahead and he is poised to take Rugby Africa to higher heights.

The President-Elect further indicated that he would focus on reviewing funding models to expand developmental programmes of the sport and beyond through  Corporate Social Responsibility. He is also keen on promoting women inclusion in the sport and commended the Women team for their ranking.

Congratulating the President-Elect on his victory, Prof. Twumasi noted that his outfit would continue to support Ghana Rugby and any other sports association on the agenda  of Sports Development and Promotion, noting that the contribution of Mr. Herbert Mensah to Ghana Sports cannot be overlooked.

He entreated other Federation heads to strive and emulate their colleagues who have taken up positions in Africa and on the International scene.

Mr Mensah was accompanied by Mr Bawa Fuseini, Secretary General-GAA, and Rafatu Musah of the Rugby fraternity.

Present at the visit was the Ag. Head of Public Relations, Mrs Rita Odei Asare and Marvelina Ayi-Bonte also of the Unit.

Source NSA

Nii Lante Bannerman, President of the Ghana Handball Association (GHA) says his administration is committed to guaranteeing the promotion and development of the sport in the country.

He said the HAG would continue to present programs that are aimed development of the sport, hence the decision to host the youth competition in Ghana.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of International Handball Federation (IHF) Africa Zone Three Trophy Tournament for Under-17 and Under-19 females, he said “We are proud to host this tournament in Ghana.

“We hope that the competition would provide an opportunity for the participants to showcase their skills, learn from each other and form new friendships.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to the international handball federation and the Confederation of Africa Handball for their confidence in us and for making this tournament possible.

Mr. Seydou Diouf, President of the Senegal Handball Federation commended Ghana for hosting the tournament, “We want to thank Ghana very much for hosting this important tournament, the promotion of handball in Africa is great and Ghana is making efforts for the promotion and growth of it”.

He added that, Ghana believes in Pan-African development and this event, would also serve as a preparation for the African Games in 2024.

Madam Inoka Makova who represented IHF urged the young ladies to take the event seriously as it would give them advantage in life in future.

She said, “I am so glad that Ghana has taken the responsibility to organise competition mainly for girls this really shows that there is gender balance”.

“I believe with this experience you ladies would be able to prove it, not only on the field but also outside the field,” she added.

Dr. Osman Haruna, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Youth and Sports said the government was fully in support of the tournament because sports bring unity and development in a nation.

NewsGhana

Mr. Samir Captan, WBO Representative in Africa has professed that the WBO Africa Featherweight Championship between John ‘Expensive Abaja’ Laryea (13- 0) and Solomon Martey (15 -1) is going to be a cracker.

The bout comes off on Sunday April 30, 2023 at plush Dezone Beach Resort at Korle Gonno in Accra.

According to Captan, a former President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), the two pugilists are known to be durable and tested warriors who can thrill the fans.

He said the Featherweight division is where Ghana has produced champions and exceled at the world level, naming Roy Ankah, D.K. Poison Azumah Nelson and recently Isaac Dogboe

“From their records I can foresee a good fight and I wish both boxers good luck. May the best win” he said.

Samir Captan called for adequate security, discipline and comportment from the fans.

Coach of John Laryea, Carl Lokko said boxers from the Bronx Boxing Gym are very serious in whatever they do.

“We expert a good fight, we know the opponent will come up wildly, but we will handle him and prove that we are the best at the division now.”

He promised an entertaining night of classic boxing.

Coach of Martey from the Seconds Out Gym expressed that they are ever ready to win the title.

Meanwhile Mr. Sammy Amin Addo, CEO of Bronx Boxing Promotions has assured the spicing of boxing show with live musical performances by some of the best artistes in Ghana.

The bill is supported by the Asamoah Gyan Foundation and Paradise Pac Mineral Water.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Football Association (GFA) General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, has expressed confidence in the Black Meteors' ability to secure a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

The Ghana U-23 team, who last played at the Olympics in 2004, have a clear opportunity before them with the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Harrison Addo stated that all major stakeholders are working diligently to ensure that the team is prepared for the tournament in Morocco, performs well, and ultimately secures a place in Paris 2024.

“The quest is to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games next year, so the technical team, the FA, and everybody is geared up, in terms of the preparations to ensure that we present a good team.

“We want to give them good preparations so they are in the position to compete with the rest of Africa in terms of the other teams that will come for the tournament. “Three full slots are available for the Olympics, and there is also a 50/50 slot, so we want to take one of those slots for the Olympic Games," he added.

The Black Meteors qualified for the AFCON after defeating Algeria 2-1 on aggregate last month.

Source GhanaSoccerNet

Mr. Dauda Fuseni, Vice President of the Ghana Boxing Federation GBF has appealed to corporate Ghana to support the female boxers who are going to represent the nation at international tournaments.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview, he said the companies should not wait for the GBF to bring proposals before they support, but when they read in the newspapers and online and hear in the radio or see on the television, they can come forward.

According to Mr. Dauda, it is sad and painful for the girls to train for weeks and months only to be told at the last minute that there are no funds for them to travel for competition.

He said the companies must be socially responsible and support sports men and women, because sports bring joy, happiness, unity and love to the nation.

He stressed that everyone has a talent, but the talent must be polished and used well to benefit the individual and the nation.

He noted that Boxing is the sport that has brought the nation most honours and laurels but the boxers are neglected to be on their own with the financial burden always on the executive of the GBF.

He urged the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the National Sports Authority to support the boxers in their programmes so that they can have frequent fights to keep them in shape and improve their records.

He commended Adoa TV who presented mineral water and cash to the Black Hitters as the female national team are known, and urged other media houses to do same.

"Ghana has very good female boxers, but they are not given the exposure, it is the media that have been supporting, but we need to go to tournaments to test our strength” he added.

The Black Hitters who train daily under Coach Abdul Rashid ‘Believer’ Williams at The Gym Boxing Club in Accra missed a lucrative event in India recently, but they want to participate in another tournament coming up in Turkey in June.

Faruza Osman is the spokes person of the Black Hitters which included Sarah Apau, Ramatu Quaye, Janet Adjei, Janet Acquah, Nasara Fuseni, Trudy Manteaw, Anatu Mohammed, Perpetual Okaija and Abigail Quartey.

GBF President Ben Quartey, Treasurer Mustapha Nettey, Communications Director Joojo Ephson are in support of better treatment for the female boxers.

By Sammy Heywood Okine