In remembrance of former WBO Bantamweight World Champion Alfred ‘Cobra’ Kotey. You will be greatly missed. RIP

WBO World Title Bout: Navarrete-Dogboe 2 on May 11

On Saturday, May 11 at the Tucson Arena, located inside the Tucson Convention Center WBO junior featherweight world champion Emanuel Navarrete will look to repeat the deed when he defends his title in an immediate rematch versus Isaac “Royal Storm” Dogboe, whom he defeated by unanimous decision last Dec. 8 on the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Jose Pedraza card.

 

The fight will be televised on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 10 p.m. ET. The undercard will stream live starting at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+

 

Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, tickets for this world championship event priced at $102, $77, $52 and $27 go on sale Tuesday, April. 2 at 12 p.m. ET/10 a.m. MST. Tickets may be purchased at any Ticketmaster outlet, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or by visiting the Tucson Convention Center ticket office.

 

Navarrete (26-1, 22 KOs) has won 20 consecutive bouts, bursting onto the world scene with his shocking upset of Dogboe. In their initial contest, he pressed the action and busted up Dogboe to notch the well-deserved decision. A two-fisted power puncher, the Dogboe victory ended his knockout streak at eight.

 

Dogboe (20-1, 14 KOs), 24, emerged in 2018 as the latest in the long line of fan-friendly Ghanaian champions. A member of Royal Badu family of Anyako in the Volta Region of Ghana, Dogboe snatched the WBO junior featherweight title from Jessie Magdaleno in April 2018, coming off the deck in the opening round to stop Magdaleno in the 11th. He defended his title in August, steamrolling Hidenori Otake in one round. Then, he ran into the upset-minded Navarrete, who put a halt to Dogboe’s magical run. Come May 11, Dogboe will have a chance to regain his status as one of the sport’s elite young talents.

 

“I am ready to show the world that our first fight was no accident,” Navarrete said. “I am the better fighter, and I will show that again. Dogboe made a mistake in taking this rematch.”

 

“Look, in my last fight, I wasn’t fit. I underestimated Emanuel Navarrete,” Dogboe said. “But you know something, at my lowest, he couldn’t knock me out. This fight, May 11, it’s a guarantee: Isaac Dogboe is here to set the record straight. Tucson, it’s going down. You don’t want to miss this fight. It’s a fight people are going to be talking about for a very, very long time. A fit Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe is a dangerous Isaac ‘Royal Storm’ Dogboe. May 11, I’m coming for my title!”

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced the officials for two WBO World title bouts to be held this Saturday, August 25th in Arizona.

In the main event, WBO Lightweight (135 lbs) World Champion Raymundo Beltrán, from México, will face WBO ranked number two José Pedraza, from Puerto Rico.

For this bout, which will headline the card presented by Top Rank from the Gila River Arena in Glendale, the referee will be Tony Weeks, from the United States.

Arizona’s Rubin Taylor, as well as Lisa Giampa and Robert Hoyle, both from Nevada, were appointed judges for the bout. The WBO Supervisor will be WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcárcel, Esq.

For Beltrán (35-7-1, 21 KOs), it will be his first defense of the title he won by beating WBO Africa Lightweight titlist Paulus Moses via unanimous decision. On his part, Pedraza (24-1, 12 KOs) is looking to be crowned a two division World Champion with a victory over Beltrán. He previously held a title as a Junior Lightweight (130 lbs).

In the co-main event of the evening, WBO Junior Featherweight World Champion Isaac Dogboe, from Ghana, will battle WBO ranked number six Hidenori Otake (31-2-3, 14 KOs), from Japan.

For this bout, the referee will be Chris Flores, from the United States.

Illinois’s Patrick Morley, Texas’s Javier Álvarez and Connecticut’s Glenn Feldman were appointed judges for the bout. The WBO Supervisor will be WBO Vice-President North America/Chairman of North American Boxing Organization Richard de Cuir.

For Dogboe (19-0, 13 KOs), it will be his first defense of the title he won by defeating former WBO World Champion Jessie Magdaleno by 11-round knockout.

Beltrán-Pedraza and Dogboe-Otake will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes at 10:30 p.m. ET, with undercard action streaming live beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. on ESPN+ — the recently-launched multi-sport, direct-to-consumer subscription streaming service from The Walt Disney Company’s Direct-to-Consumer & International segment in conjunction with ESPN.

Photo by Mikey Williams

In the first world title fight of 2018, WBO #2 jr featherweight Isaac Dogboe (18-0, 12 KOs) stopped WBO #1 Cesar “Corazon” Juarez (25-6, 15 KOs) in round five to claim the vacant WBO interim title on Saturday night at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Ghana. Dogboe dropped Juarez in round two, and battered him for the remaining two minutes. Juarez recovered well and round three was toe-to-toe. Juarez was floored again in round five. He beat the count, but was in bad shape and the bout was stopped by referee Tony Weeks. Time was 2:12.

 

Dogboe is now in line to face the WBO’s full champion Jessie Magdaleno, who had to pull out of a fight against Juarez due to a wrist injury. “Jessie Magdaleno, I’m coming for you!” said a jubilant Dogboe after the fight.

Dogboe TKOs Juarez for WBO 122lb belt

Undefeated as a professional, Kamoko made his pro debut back in the year 2000 when he defeated Flash Issaka on points. Five years later, Kamoko captured the African Boxing Union Light Heavyweight title by defeating Michael Gbenga by unanimous decision; and would go on to make one defence of that title. In 2011, the boxer known as “Bukom Banku” got an opportunity to fight for the interim WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title against Joseph Rodriguez Olivera. Kamoko would end up winning the bout via 4th round technical knockout. In his next bout, he then callenged Vikapita Meroro for the WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title. Once again, Kamoko defeated Meroro by unanimous decision. On February 25th, he made the 2nd defense of his WBO Africa title at the Accra Sports Stadium against Hamza Wandera, a Ugandan boxer who currently fights out of Sweden

Braimah Kamoko is the pride of Bukom (the area of Accra where he’s from) –and has a huge support base in Accra, where he regularly appears in TV commercials too. He is currently ranked Nr.2 in the Light Heavyweight division.  On February 25th, he made the 2nd defense of his WBO Africa title at the Accra Sports Stadium against Hamza Wandera, a Ugandan boxer who currently fights out of Sweden

 His next defence is due 25th May 2012…

 

REGIONAL TITLES:

1.) African Boxing Union Light Heavyweight title

2.) WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title

After successfully making a second defence of his WBO Africa Light Heavyweight belt, albeit controversially against Sweden based Ugandan Hamza Wandera, Braimah Kamoko has indicated his readiness to take on the big boys in the division in world boxing.

Banku claimed a 3rd round TKO to secure his win number 23 in 23 professional fights, but it was not without sweat. Wandera had boldly predicted beforehand that he was going to end the Ghanaian nicknamed Bukom Banku’s unbeaten record. Wandera served notice of his intention by scoring a knockdown of Kamoko in the very first round, the first time the Ghanaian showman had ever visited the canvas in his career.

But the unbeaten Bukom Banku bounced back in style and dominated Wandera for the rest of the fight until the Ugandan refused to continue fighting in the 3rd round following complaints that he had been fouled by the Ghanaian boxer. Referee Roger Barnor had no choice than to declare Kamoko the winner.

Even though Wandera has consequently declared his wish for a rematch with international referee and judges, Bukom Banku is less likely to pursue such option because the unbeaten Ghanaian is keen on becoming world champion.

“I’m not sitting down, I’m going forward. I’m going to fight (WBO Light heavyweight champ Nathan) Cleverly for world title. I’ve set a perfect record in my country, now I have to go international.
And I’m more than ready,” the highly eccentric Kamoko indicated after the fight.

 

By Prince Dornu-Leiku

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=30927&more=1

 

Brimah Kamoko better known as Bukom Banku successfully defended his WBO Africa Lightweight title after his Ugandan opponent refused to continue the bout in the third round in Accra in the wee hours of Sunday.

Ugandan boxer, Hamza Wandera in protest to a supposed foul by Bukom Banku turned his back twice and refused to continue fighting, forcing referee Roger Barnor to end the bout.

Wandera knocked Bukom Banku down, for the first time in his career in round one but failed to capatalise on his advantage.

By this win, Bukom Banku has improved his record to 23 wins and is getting closer to a shot at the world title.

He admitted in an interview with Joy Sports that the bout was a tough one. He said his opponent is a good boxer and although he knocked him down in the first round, he would have stopped him in either the fourth or fifth round.

Meanwhile, Wandera who explained his decision to Joy Sports after the bout said he “will come for a rematch anytime.”

He explained that he took to the decision to quit the fight to “protect my life. Kamoko was going to hack me more in the ring without referee warning him that is why I had to leave the fight. Next time if they call for an international fight it [should] not be a ‘Kamoko man’ [referee] … [and] I promise to knock him out.”

In other bouts, Joshua Okine defeated Argentina’s Amilcar Funes – a result many saw as controversial, while Samuel Amoako struggled to earn a win against Namibia’s Martin Hikali to claim the WBO Africa lightweight title.

 

http://sports.myjoyonline.com/pages/boxing/201202/82109.php

 

Ghanaian boxer Braimah Kamoko a.k.a Bukom Banku had to hit the scales twice this on Friday morning before securing the green card to defend his WBO Africa light heavyweight titles against his Namibian opponent Hamza Wandera at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

Bukom Banku failed to meet the required 175 pound weight limit for that category when he exceeded it during the weigh in.

An official of the World Boxing Organization, who was present, ordered it had to be done again after two hours. The Ghanaian boxer was left with his fate in his own hands as he had no option but to lose a couple of pounds in order to keep his title. This means Kamoko would have lost his titles ahead of the fight, if he had failed to meet the required weight expected by the association.

The Ghanaian boxer would have only fought for mere formality and a win would not have still changed the decision to strip him off his titles.
Kamoko was, however, able to shed of a couple of pounds after an hour of intense running and returned to the scales to make the weight.

Meanwhile, his Namibian opponent has rubbished the Ghanaian boxer’s wrath by saying he will send him packing. Bukom Banku also appealed to the Vice President John Dramani Mahama to be present at the Accra Sports Stadium to watch the fight.

 

http://sports.peacefmonline.com/boxing/201202/96991.php

 

The return of unbeaten world title aspirant Braimah Kamoko against Sweden based Ugandan Hamza Wandera on February 25 in Ghana will now take place at the Accra Sports Stadium instead of the previously announced Accra International Conference Centre, we can report.

Voted the WBO’s Africa Boxer of the year 2011, Kamoko, famously called Bukom Banku, 22-0, 16 KOs, takes on the 28 year old Wandera 14-3, 12 KOs in a second defence of the WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title he first won back in January last year.

The fight is the headliner of first promotion of the year by GoldenMike Boxing Promotions led by CEO Mike Tetteh.

Also defending their titles on the same bill are hot prospects Joshua Okine and Emmanuel Tagoe AKA Game Boy. Okine takes on Amilcar Funes of Argentina for his IBF Intercontinental Welterweight belt whereas Game Boy defends his IBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight title against Santos Benavides of Nicaragua.

Also fighting on February 25 at the Accra Sports Stadium are Ghana’s Samuel Amoako versus Martin Haikali of Namibia for WBO Africa Lightweight belt and another Ghanaian Ebenezer Lamptey against Ecuadorian Eduardo Flores for WBO Africa Super Lightweight title.

The night is completed by the national Featherweight championship between Ishmael Aryeetey and Samuel Adotei as well as Isaac Nettey versus Joshua Barnor in a final eliminator to the national Super Bantamweight title.

 

By Prince Dornu-Leiku:

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=30630&more=1

WBO African boxer of the year Braimah Kamoko AKA Bukom Banku makes a return to the ring on February 25 when he makes a defence of his WBO Africa Light heavyweight belt against Kenyan Hamza Wandera in Accra.
Victory for the unbeaten Kamoko, 22-0, 16 KOs will move closer to a fight against world champion Nathan Cleverly later in the year. Banku’s fight is the headliner of the first promotion of the year in Ghana put up by Golden Mike Boxing Promotions led by CEO Mike Tetteh slated for the plush Accra International Conference Centre.
Also defending their titles on the same bill are hot prospects Joshua Okine and Emmanuel Tagoe AKA Game Boy. Okine takes on Bethuel Ushoona of Namibia for his IBF Intercontinental Welterweight belt whereas Game Boy defends his IBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight title against Santos Benavides of Nicaragua.
Also featuring on January 20 at the Accra International Conference Centre are Samuel Amoako versus Martin Haikali of Namibia for WBO Africa Lightweight belt, Ebenezer Lamptey against Ecuadorian Aduardo Flores for WBO Africa Super Lightweight title with the night completed by the national Featherweight championship between Ishmael Aryeetey and Samuel Adotei.

 
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/artikel.php?ID=227540

Braimah Kamoko, the newly decorated WBO African Boxer of the year, has reiterated the desire to fight for a world title because that is the only challenge he awaits now. Kamoko received the award from WBO Africa President Andrew Smale at a quiet but lavish ceremony in the Ghanaian capital of Accra last Saturday night and immediately demanded to take on the world.

“This is the first time I wear coat, I feel like I’m going to heaven. Yeah this is Bukom Banku the man himself. I want the world title now, I want to fight (WBO Light Heavyweight champion Nathan) Cleverly because he is holding my title. I say they should give me the chance to fight him now,” Braimah Kamoko, famously called Bukom Banku told the audience just after receiving the accolade.

The unbeaten Kamoko (22-0, 16 KOs), also the WBO Africa Light Heavyweight champion, was also full of praise for his management and promotion team, the Golden Concepts Management International and Golden Mike Boxing Promotions. According to the boxer who overcame several setbacks including an eye defect, he may not have been fighting now without the support of especially Golden Concepts boss Henry Manly-Spain and his wife Ivy.

Hear the highly eccentric Bukom Banku: “I want to thank my manager, I died and at the funeral he came to raise me up. Mr. Manly-Spain and Golden Mike have done more than enough for me and I will forever be grateful to them. Mrs. Manly-Spain, she is the first lady in Ghana, she is a real mother. For them, I will be a world champion before I die.”

Henry Manly-Spain declared his commitment to push not just Bukom Banku but many other boxers under their stable to become world champs soon.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I can see a very huge potential in Braimah Kamoko as a potential world beater and I believe with the needed support and commitment, he will rule the world. I wish to produce boxing world champions in the near future and I know Braimah Kamoko is one of them,” Mr. Manly-Spain has pledged.

 

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=29969&more=1

The exploits of hard hitting crowd puller Bukom Banku in 2011, has received due recognition from the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

The recognized boxing body has given Banku aka Braimah Kamoko the new award of WBO Africa Boxer of the year in the Light Heavyweight category.

And by the feat, Banku is now the number one on the continent and the second best in the world for the year under review. He emerged tops out of 14 African champions.

The award has placed him in a better position for a World title in the next few months, stated Andrew Smale, vice president, WBO Africa at the awards presentation ceremony in Accra last Saturday.

The WBO Africa vice president revealed that Banku reigned supreme due to the fact that the Ghanaian boxer mounted the ring just on two occasions but the enormity of the bouts warranted the award.

The boxer expressed profuse thanks for the honour done him and promised to extend his dominance to the world stage.

The Chief Executive Officer of Golden Mike Promotions, promoters of Banku, Mike Tetteh pointed out that the recognition was timely. ‘The recognition has come at a time when boxers, promoters, investors, managers and fans needed motivation to keep the momentum of the sport intact.’

Golden Concept Management International CEO, Henry Mainly Spain, manager of Banku, mentioned that boxing is one of the most lucrative businesses in the World. He called on corporate Ghana to come on board to brainstorm as business executives to provide opportunities which will make the sport attractive.

Banku, who turned pro in 2000, has kayoed 16 of the 22 pugilists that he has encountered, with no defeat. He received a beautifully designed plaque.

The award ceremony was originally scheduled for the US and later to South Africa but was moved to the boxer’s home country due to logistical challenges of Banku’s management.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

http://www.modernghana.com/sports/363598/2/wbo-honours-banku.html