The former Okaikwei South MP made this appeal while congratulating Abigail Quartey on becoming Ghana’s first female boxing champion.

Abigail’s achievement was highlighted in a documentary by JoySports’ Haruna Mubarak, titled Abigail Quartey: Her Gloves, Her Glory. She attributed her success to hard work, specifically dedicating four hours to training daily.

Reacting to her accomplishment, Newman described Abigail’s victory in the male-dominated sport as inspiring and commendable.

“Quartey’s victory significantly advances women’s empowerment and gender equity in Ghana, highlighting the need for government support for women in sports,” she stated.

She further urged the government to prioritize the implementation of the Affirmative Action Act, 2024, emphasizing its potential to expand opportunities for women in sports and other fields.

The 28-year-old boxer secured her title after dominating British opponent Sangeeta Birdi with a series of punches and uppercuts, making her Ghana’s first female world titleholder and the country’s 11th boxing champion in history.

Beyond being a personal triumph, Abigail’s success serves as an inspiration to young women across Ghana. She cemented her legacy in November by winning the Women’s International Boxing Federation (WIBF) title.

During her tenure as Minister, Newman played a key role in ensuring the passage of the Affirmative Action Bill by Parliament in August 2024 to promote women’s empowerment and create opportunities across all sectors.

“The first schedule of the Affirmative Action Bill calls for a 30% representation, with a gradual increase to 50%. Implementing this bill will be a major victory for women,” she added.

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But, after his Leicester side were knocked out of the FA Cup by a controversial stoppage-time Harry Maguire header on his Old Trafford return on Friday, the Dutchman had a new way to describe such drama.

“We are not defeated in Fergie time, we are defeated in offside time,” the former Manchester United striker told ITV after his side were beaten in round four.

His frustration was that, with the scores level at 1-1 and the game in the third and final minute of injury-time and heading for 30 minutes of extra time, Maguire headed the winner, despite appearing to be offside when Bruno Fernandes sent a free-kick towards the back post.

But with no video assistant referee (VAR) at this stage of the FA Cup, it was down to the decision of the officials, who felt there was nothing wrong with the goal.

Having had a bit more time to digest the outcome when he faced the media around an hour after full-time, Van Nistelrooy was no calmer about the situation.

“We are gutted,” he said.

“When you prepare for the whole week for this game and reacting after the Everton loss and put in a performance like that but it is decided on a clear and obvious mistake, that is unacceptable and unthinkable at this level.

“We have nothing else to do but pick ourselves up. It is not what the team deserved.”

Why was VAR not in use?

Image caption: Ruud van Nistelrooy said Harry Maguire, the furthest Manchester United player from the ball at the far side of the penalty area in the above image, was “half a metre” offside

Having had time to analyse replays of the goal, VAR would most likely have overturned the on-pitch decision.

However, the Football Association announced in mid-December that the technology would not be used in the FA Cup until the fifth round.

“VAR has only been used in the FA Cup previously for matches at Wembley Stadium and at Premier League grounds because of the infrastructure, workforce and costs that are required for its operation,” the FA said in a statement on 16 December.

“This decision ensures that there is a consistent refereeing approach for all clubs taking part in the same stage of the competition.”

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted his side were fortunate with the decision, and feels it vindicates the use of VAR, even if his side benefited on this occassion from its absence.

“With VAR it’s not a goal,” he said.

“I think it’s important to have VAR because it’s fair for the game. It’s hard to lose like that with an offside play. But we deserve a little bit of luck.”

Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane felt the debate is not over whether VAR is needed, but that it was a clear enough error that should have been picked up by the officials.

He said on ITV: “That’s a poor decision, the linesman [assistant referee] has got to see that.

“You have got to get those big decisions right.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added: “Look where the linesman is. That impacts him [Van Nistelrooy] that impacts his managerial career because it’s another loss.

“That would have been a really big confidence booster for them. But they have to lift themselves, because of the officials.”

Van Nistelrooy added: “It is a hard one to take because the game was decided on a mistake.

“It is not a matter of VAR where you look at millimetres, it was half a metre, it was clear.”

Garnacho shines and Dorgu makes debut

Despite accepting the winner was cruel on his opponents, Amorim felt his side were in need of a bit of luck.

Manchester United have struggled for consistency since the Portuguese coach was appointed in November and while he and the club’s fans will have welcomed this win, there were still some causes for concern.

They were again poor in the first half, failing to manage a single shot on target as they fell behind to Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s opener.

Amorim gave January signing Patrick Dorgu his debut but played him at right-wing back, despite the 20-year-old being more often played at left-back.

Amorim was seen giving the former Lecce player a lot of instructions, before taking him off at half-time.

“I was trying to help Dorgu to manage the game,” he said. “He’s had three training sessions so it was hard for him.

“If you see the history of Dorgu he played a lot of games on the right side. Sometimes you need a left foot on the right side to come inside and connect in a different way.”

Dorgu was replaced by Alejandro Garnacho and his introduction changed the game in United’s favour. His pace down the left caused problems and he had a deflected shot superbly cleared off the line before sending in the cross that led to Joshua Zirkzee’s equaliser.

Garnacho had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the winter window, but Amorim had appeared keen to keep hold of him and his impact in this game showed why.

“He made a big impact,” Maguire said.

“He always does that when he comes off the bench, so credit to him, he’s ready, he’s focused.”

Speculation on social media had suggested Joshua could fight Martin Bakole or Deontay Wilder next.

With Joshua, 35, coming off a knockout loss to IBF champion Daniel Dubois in an all-British clash, Matchroom promoter Hearn says no concrete plans are in place.

“If you look at Twitter [X], he’s signed and agreed to fight Martin Bakole. Today it’s all signed for Wilder against Joshua on June 7th. [But with] both of those fights there hasn’t been one discussion yet,” Hearn said on the 5 Live Boxing with Steve Bunce podcast.

Congolese heavyweight Bakole has talked up a fight with Joshua in recent weeks, even suggesting he hurt the two-time heavyweight world champion in a sparring session.

But Hearn, who has promoted Joshua for the entirety of his professional career, laughed off the story, saying he has never witnessed Bakole “rock” Joshua in sparring.

“I think Martin Bakole is a very good fighter, but don’t get carried away that this is the new George Foreman,” Hearn said.

“The problem with Bakole is, he is a handful, but he doesn’t really bring the dollars for the fight.”

Joshua’s return to the summit of the heavyweight scene was halted by Dubois at Wembley last September as he suffered the fourth defeat of his career and second via stoppage.

He was expected to fight Dubois again, but opted out of talks for a rematch and Dubois will face Joseph Parker on 22 February instead.

Before Tyson Fury’s shock retirement announcement last month, anticipation had been building the Gypsy King might face Joshua.

But while that fight seems unlikely again, Hearn says Fury remains at the top of Joshua’s wishlist.

“It’s always been the two – Tyson Fury – who is retired at the moment, we’ll see how long that lasts, and the winner of Dubois-Parker,” Hearn said of Joshua’s ideal next opponent.

Joshua has history with both Dubois and Parker having stripped Parker of his WBO title in their 2018 unification fight.

Hearn is not confident Dubois will retain his IBF title, with Parker on a five-fight winning streak, including wins over Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

“The first four, five rounds of that fight will be so important,” Hearn said of Dubois-Parker.

“If Parker can get through those rounds, you’ve got to put question marks back in Dubois’ head because right now I think he thinks he’s invincible.

“He’s buying into the hype. Which might be good for him. Dubois is a handful.

“I think he’s beatable and I think Parker is the guy to do it. Right now, a confident Daniel Dubois is a dangerous man.”

Following the team’s failure to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 20 years, the GFA introduced a new technical staff.

Despite criticism over the AFCON failure, Otto Addo remains as head coach. Winfried Schäfer has been named as the GFA’s technical advisor and technical director.

Desmond Offei, the head coach of the Black Satellites, has been promoted to the Black Stars’ technical bench as an assistant coach, replacing Joseph Laumann. Offei will join Otto Addo’s assistants, John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda, who will retain their positions.

Kris Perquy has been appointed as the team’s psychologist, and Gregory De Grauwe will serve as the video analyst.

In an interview with Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Acheampong expressed confidence in the new staff and reiterated their goal of securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

He added, “We have listened to the concerns of Ghanaians, and we hope these appointments will lead to the results we need to qualify for the World Cup.”

Meanwhile, Kofi Adams, the Minister-designate for Sports and Recreation, has suggested that the new technical team might undergo a review.

The new technical team now includes 15 members in total.

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Fury has called time on his career before, in April 2022 after his win over Dillian Whyte. However, the Brit returned to action in December that year.

“I’m going to make this short and sweet, I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing,” Fury said in a video posted on Monday.

“It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side.”

Tyson Fury has just announced his retirement from boxing

: @Tyson_Fury pic.twitter.com/AOiDJYA17V

— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) January 13, 2025

He also retired in 2013 and 2017 in social media posts, with both statements proving to be short-lived.

Fury was beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk in December as he looked to regain his heavyweight world championship belts.

A long-touted fight with Anthony Joshua had been rumoured for this year with both fighters in the latter stages of their respective careers.

Having inflicted a first career defeat on Briton Fury by split decision in May, Usyk’s astuteness and will to win once again prevailed at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena as he retained his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles.

Fury, 36, found success in the first half of the fight. Some of the more eye-catching shots came from the Morecambe fighter, but the volume of punches and cleaner work were from Ukrainian Usyk.

All three judges scored it 116-112 to the 37-year-old champion.

Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, extended his undefeated record to 23 pro wins.

“He [Tyson Fury] is a great fighter, he is a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much,” Usyk said.

Two-time world champion Fury has only ever lost to Usyk, his two defeats the major blemishes on a record also consisting of 34 wins and one draw.

Fury left the ring without conducting an interview before IBF world champion Daniel Dubois climbed in and called for a rematch with Usyk.

A visibly frustrated figure in the moments after the scorecards were read out, Fury said backstage he was convinced he won the fight by “at least three rounds”.

Superstar Usyk edges a showcase of elite level boxing

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Usyk is the only boxer to have beaten Fury in the pro ranks

In a rematch billed as Usyk v Fury ‘reignited’, the sport’s two most technically gifted heavyweights served up another classic and showcased elite level boxing.

The Gypsy King was in playful mood with an unorthodox ring entrance to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’.

Dressed as Father Christmas, Fury was still sporting the bushy beard which was cleared at a rules meeting amid protests from Usyk’s team.

A stern-faced Usyk marched to the ring in super-quick time. Wearing a warrior-like robe, he crouched in the corner to recite a prayer.

After an 11-minute face-off on Thursday, Fury and Usyk picked up where they left off, their eyes fixated on each other as met in the centre of the ring.

Neither man over-committed in a cagey opening round. Fury showboated his way through the first fight but there was more seriousness to his work here. He wobbled Usyk in the closing seconds of the second.

With an advantage of six inches in height, eight inches in reach and four stone in weight, Fury used his physicality to keep Usyk at range.

But just as he did in the first fight, Usyk found success targeting Fury’s body.

Two bruising left hooks landed flush on Fury in the fourth. “Keep it basic. He’s running around – slow it down,” trainer SugarHill Steward told Fury after the fifth.

An overhand left connected cleanly with Fury’s forehead in the sixth. Fury’s pace dropped and Usyk was heading into his groove.

Fury found a second wind, however, and edged the ninth. It felt as if it was still all to play for in the championship rounds.

Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor husband Jason Statham watched from plush ringside seats, alongside a stellar list of boxing royalty including Roberto Duran, Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed.

Usyk unleashed a sublime combination in the 11th. With Fury momentarily hurt, the champion applied the pressure.

And Fury looked the more desperate of the pair as Usyk finished the fight on top.

Best of era Usyk running out of opponents

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Fury now faces an uncertain future after his first – successive – defeats

Two close defeats by a fighter of Usyk’s calibre do not point to a sharp decline in Fury’s ability. On another day, with another set of judges, it may have been a different result.

“I’m really disappointed. We’ll have to see what happens in the future for Tyson. I thought he was in control, boxed really well and had Usyk on his back foot,” promoter Frank Warren said.

Fury is an enigma: a boxer who – even when he refuses to engage with the media or sell a fight as he did this week – is able to emit a certain energy and draw in a crowd.

Anthony Joshua is also at a crossroads after a destructive defeat by Dubois. Now may be the perfect time for the long-awaited all-British heavyweight tussle.

Usyk, meanwhile, can rightly call the shots on his next move.

Dubois, who was stopped by Usyk last year, still harbours a grudge after the referee’s decision to rule a punch which dropped the Ukrainian earlier in the fight as a low blow.

Usyk has also previously hinted he could move back down cruiserweight. The discipline it would take to lose the weight and recondition himself is indicative of a man forever chasing greatness and new challenges.

The Crimea-born fighter certainly has options, but the best of his era is running out of credible opponents.

Briton Fury, 36, will challenge for Usyk’s unified heavyweight title in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

Speaking as he left the news conference, Usyk said: “Me? [Look away?] No.”

Neither man had anything of note to say in Thursday’s news conference, both insisting the talking was done.

The obligatory face-off, however, provided the most talked about moment of fight week and demonstrated the mind battle between arguably the two best heavyweights on the planet.

Fury towered over Usyk and both refused to look away inside a luxury mall in the centre of the Saudi capital.

A few minutes in, organisers began hatching a plan to separate the pair. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman was the first to try and convince them, but neither fighter broke their stare.

A piece of card and a handkerchief was then placed between them.

Sweat dripped down Fury’s head as the fighters began to share words and become more animated.

“The rabbit’s getting it this time. Butchered. Smashed to pieces,” Fury told Usyk.

“Don’t be afraid,” Usyk responded.

A shouting Fury was eventually dragged away. A few moments later, he was dancing with drummers performing outside of the news conference room.

In May, 37-year-old Usyk outpointed Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years.

‘This time I am serious’ – Fury

Before the face-off shenanigans, an edgy and intense Fury said it was no longer time for joking and that he will “do some serious damage” to his rival.

Sporting a bushy beard which he says provides added strength, Fury has been reluctant to engage with the media in fight week.

“I’ve got nothing to say, apart from there is going to be a lot of hurt and pain in this fight, you watch,” he said, with a few expletives added in.

“That’s all I got to say. Talking’s been done. The first fight I talked, I joked – all my career – this time I am serious.”

Smartly dressed in a white suit and black hat, Fury added: “I’m going to dish out a whole lot of pain.”

Paris Fury, the former champion’s wife, sat on the front row alongside two of his sons.

Earlier this week, Fury revealed he had not spoken to his wife for three months while focused on training in Malta.

As for Usyk, the Crimea-born champion – wearing a striking maroon outfit with embroidery – was serenaded to the top table by a Ukrainian singer and a choir consisting of a dozen suited men.

“Now we have just a performance with lights and cameras. Everything will take place on Saturday,” Usyk said.

Usyk stared down Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn when he tipped his fellow Briton for the win, a prediction which prompted a rare smile from Fury.

Asked if he had a final message for Fury, Usyk said: “Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: The face-off had been silent until around the 10 minute mark, when there were attempts to stop it

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Several appeals to each fighter fell on deaf ears, Usyk didn’t appear to blink once

Image source: Reuters

Image caption: Fury began speaking to his opponent, and security eventually had to coax him off stage

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Usyk might think he won the small battle of the face-off

Dubbed the Zongo Fair, it was a maiden two-day event that took place on Saturday, November 23rd, and Sunday, November 24th, at Accra New Town.

Saturday’s Event

The event kicked off with a launch, during which various chiefs from the Zongo community preached peace before, during, and after the elections. The ceremony also included an awards presentation, where key members of the Zongo community received citations for their outstanding contributions.

The evening was capped off with an exciting boxing match/show.

Sunday’s Event

Sunday’s activities began with a vibrant street art exhibition that showcased the community’s creative talent. The event culminated in an entertaining concert featuring performances by Wendy Shay and Ras Kuuku.

The Zongo Fair was a resounding success, promoting unity and peace within the community. It served as a powerful reminder of the importance of togetherness, particularly during significant events like the upcoming general election.

Below are some photos 

Tyson, as you might expect from a man aged 58 and having not competed professionally in 19 years, was a shadow of his old self.

Paul, 27, is a boxing novice but was too young and too athletic. He kept Tyson at range, landing jabs and accurate punches in an eight-round contest of two-minute rounds.

Tyson was slow and sluggish. He received a hero’s reception before the fight, but there were huge boos as the fight drew to a close.

Some fans left before judges’ scores of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73 were announced.

In an uncomfortable moment post-fight, Tyson, after his seventh pro loss in 57 bouts, called out Paul’s brother Logan and suggested he could fight again.

There were question marks on the legitimacy of this fight and how seriously both men would take it, but Tyson said he “came to fight”.

Both men wore heavier gloves with extra padding as part of the conditions set by the Texas commission, who sanctioned it as a pro fight – a decision which looks even more ludicrous post-fight.

Lighter gloves would have made no difference, no punches thrown even came close to a knockout.

Tyson landed only 18 punches in the entire fight, compared to Paul’s 78.

Paul made his celebrity name by posting prank videos online and amassing a social media following of 70 million before venturing into boxing.

He wins his 11th pro fight, having lost to Tommy Fury last year, and once again reiterated his desire to fight Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

“He knows he wants a payday so he knows where the money is at,” Paul said.

He died in the United Kingdom at the age of 84, although the details surrounding his death have not been disclosed.

Ike Quartey had an impressive professional boxing career and fought 42 matches. His record boasts 37 victories, 4 defeats, and 1 draw, with a remarkable 31 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

Ike Quartey fought in the WBA welterweight, light-welterweight, and light-middleweight divisions.

He reached the pinnacle of his career by holding the WBA welterweight title for four consecutive years, from 1994 to 1998, and was renowned for his powerful jabs.

One of the standout moments in his career was his 1999 bout against celebrated American boxer Oscar De La Hoya at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In addition to his professional achievements, Quartey also earned a silver medal in the men’s Light Welterweight (63.5 kg) category at the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow, Russia.

He made these remarks after receiving an entourage from Holy Dorgbetor’s camp, led by co-manager Kofie Solomon, last Friday at his residence in Akropong, Eastern Region.

Mr. Kofie pointed out that the courtesy call was to express gratitude for the Omanhene’s unwavering support and to present Holy with his newly crowned IBF Inter-Continental Africa Featherweight title while seeking blessings for the entire team.

He added that Holy is ready for a world title challenge, with preparations underway to move him to the United States for further development to excel on bigger stages and defend his title.

Oseadeeyo Akuffo, in receiving the team, urged the boxer to overcome any challenging moments they may encounter. He also applauded him for his tireless efforts and the successes he has achieved.

“As a boxer, there is a need to stay disciplined and work hard in your career; give your best in the ring. Hard work and perseverance should be your hallmarks,” he insisted.

Holy’s team assistant coach, Ibrahim Wumpuni, lauded the qualities of Holy, describing him as the most disciplined boxer he has worked with.

Also present at the solemn event were Isaac Adu Amankwaah (GM of ACE Power Promotions) and Samuel Martei Laryea, who won the UBO bantamweight title after defeating Lukman Akinolugbade from Nigeria at the Odwira Festival Boxing Night.

ACE Power Promotions will stage the “Street 2 Champions” fight night on November 16 at the Center Point Mall, Atomic Junction in Accra.

The event will see Holy Dorgbetor slug it out with Kasimu Hamad Haji from Tanzania, while Mohammed Aryeetey will battle Samuel Wilson. Additionally, 2020 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist Samuel Takyi will face a yet-to-be-announced opponent from Nigeria.

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The visit was to present his title to the team as the sponsor of his much-anticipated title defense slated for 16th November.

Holy and his team were welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of Centre Point Mall, Mr Bhagwan Asnani, the Head of Operations, Kumar Asnani, and the Marketing Manager, Derrick Afriyie.

“We’re excited to receive Holy and we’re working feverishly to make the event one of the best. We want to help our community and invest in young people to achieve their goals through boxing”, Mr Bhagwan said.

According to the General Manager of ACE Power Promotions, Mr Isaac Adu Amankwaah, who is spearheading the ‘Street 2 Champions’ fight night expressed excitement about the forthcoming event scheduled for Saturday, November 16 at the Center Point Mall.

“We’re rather very much excited about the amateur bouts on the show. Because that will help us to unearth the next Azumah Nelson or the next Holy Dorgbetor and we urge fans to come in their numbers even if you are not a boxing fan”, he added.

Holy Dorgbetor will defend his title with Kasimu Hamad Haji from Tanzania in a 12-round featherweight bout. Other boxers on the bill are All-African Games Gold Medalist Mohammed Aryeetey and 2020 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist, Samuel Takyi.

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Dubbed the “Street 2 Champions fight night”, the event will feature Ghana boxing future world title prospects Holy ‘jawbreaker’ Dogbetor, Samuel Takyi and Mohammed Aryettey who will face their yet-to-be-announced opponents.

Speaking to the Times Sports, the General Manager of APP, Isaac Amankwaah, said the event would feature some finest amateur boxers in Ghana to entertain boxing fans.

“Boxing has become a means to an end for a lot of young people on the coastal areas. We want to help young people to have a purpose by using boxing as a catalyst.

“That is why we have created street to champions to pick these young people from the street and give them a sense of purpose and in so doing take them away from social vices”.

He added that apart from this bout, the current IBF intercontinental African featherweight champion Holy Dorgbetor, Olympics Bronze Medalist, Samuel Takyi, and All Africa Games Gold Medalist Mohammed Aryettey will thrill fans with their amazing boxing skills.

• ACE Power Promotions signs pact with Centre Point Mall to promote Boxing

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The deal, which was signed by Isaac Amankwah, General Manager of APP, and Bhagwan Asnani, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Centre Point, will enable ACE Power Promotions to host boxing bouts at the mall.

During the brief ceremony, Mr Amankwah expressed his excitement about the agreement and promised to leverage the opportunity to develop and promote more boxers.

He also noted that there will be a minimum of three boxing events annually, as they are keen on promoting young fighters to compete globally and secure international promotions and managerial contracts.

Mr. Bhagwan Asnani, developer of Centre Point Mall, reaffirmed his company’s commitment to empowering young talent and providing a sense of purpose.

“Inspired by ACE Power Promotions’ innovative use of boxing to engage and uplift individuals from the streets, Centre Point Mall, as a company dedicated to community involvement, decided to partner with them to discover and nurture hidden potential and offer opportunities for the youth,” he said.

ACE Power Promotions will stage its first series of events, which is dubbed ‘Street to Champions Fight Night’ in November.

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• I never left MMA, I haven’t left boxing – Ngannou

Dubois, 27, stopped former two-time heavyweight champion Joshua in just five rounds in front of 96,000 people at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

It leaves Joshua’s resurgent career in ruins while confirming Dubois as the new leading man in British heavyweight boxing.

An epic fight that was as shocking as it was exciting threw up countless picture-worthy moments – here are some of the best.

Dubois shots rattled AJ to his core

Image source: Matchroom

Joshua suffers the first knockdown

Image source: Getty Images

The punishment keeps coming for Joshua

Image source: Getty Images

Joshua fights back but a massive counter lands

Image source: Reuters

Joshua suffers a big knockdown

Image source: Getty Images

Referee ushers Dubois away before stopping fight

Image source: Getty Images

Dubois celebrates his crowning moment

Image source: Reuters

Dubois celebrates among the crowd

Image source: Reuters

Joshua devastated, Dubois with IBF belt

Image source: Getty Images

Dubois celebrates with team

Joshua was on the back foot from the outset and never recovered as Dubois sealed victory in five rounds.

Despite seeing his four-fight win streak halted unceremoniously, Joshua rejected the suggestion that he could hang up his gloves.

“Of course I still want to continue fighting,” Joshua said at the post-fight news conference.

“We took a shot at success and came up short. Are we going to run away now or live to fight another day? I’m a warrior.”

Joshua was attempting to join legends Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko in becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, told the 34-year-old not to attend the news conference, but his fighter was adamant that he wanted to deliver a statement to the media.

Joshua, sporting bruises under both eyes and on his neck, did not take questions but gave a statement.

“Always walk with your head up high,” he added.

“We rolled the dice. That’s 13 world title fights, not all of them have been successful but they’ve all been fun and entertaining.

“We want to create history for British boxing and I think we are doing that.”

Almost 500,000 fans have watched Joshua headline in six British stadium fights. His contribution to the growth of British boxing is incontestable.

It was Joshua’s first world title fight since losing his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk for the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO belts in August 2022.

Usyk ‘expected Joshua to win’

WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Usyk was ringside at Wembley, taking a brief break from his training camp as he prepares for a rematch with Tyson Fury on 21 December.

The Ukrainian, who enjoyed back-to-back successes against Joshua in 2021 and 2022, has become the face of the heavyweight division during a period when the Briton’s grip has slipped away.

“For me it’s a surprise,” Usyk told Sky Sports.

“I expected Anthony to win the fight.”

Usyk is yet to taste defeat in 22 fights as a professional and was undisputed champion at cruiserweight before stepping up to heavyweight and also achieving that feat.

Who could Joshua fight next?

It is a difficult question to answer, fresh from a major defeat, but Joshua seems determined to continue fighting and he will not be lacking options.

Hearn says there is an option to trigger a rematch with Dubois, making him the current frontrunner for Joshua.

But there is also the possibility of fights with Deontay Wilder and Fury.

Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott said recently his heavyweight intended to continue his career despite back-to-back defeats.

A comeback against Wilder may be an attractive option for Joshua, considering he too will be looking for a big win.

Organisers said in the build-up to the Dubois fight that the Fury bout would be available to Joshua even if he loses.

Hearn suggested 2025 was the last year Fury-Joshua could happen, but it remains to be seen if either man has the appetite for it.

The 27-year-old dropped Joshua multiple times to retain the IBF heavyweight title and left his domestic rival’s career in ruins.

Londoner Dubois stopped Joshua, 34, with a incredible counter right hook to secure the biggest win of his 24-fight career.

“Are you not entertained?” Dubois said post-fight to huge cheers at Wembley.

“I’m a gladiator. I am a warrior to the bitter end. I want to get to the top level of this sport and reach my potential.”

Joshua’s bid to become a three-time champion and return to the division’s top table ended in the most dramatic and unexpected fashion.

AJ – who won his first world title more than eight years ago – suffered a fourth loss in his 32nd bout.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist worked himself back into mandatory challenger status, but the dominant nature of Dubois’ win left a huge question mark on Joshua’s next move.

An ecstatic Dubois, meanwhile, enjoyed the crowning moment which had eluded him after he was elevated to world champion when Oleksandr Usyk vacated the belt.

Destructive Dubois starts and ends with a bang

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Daniel Dubois win his first world title fight as a pro

Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher had already hyped up a lively crowd with a musical interlude before the main event – and Dubois proved a Rock ‘N’ Roll Star.

Despite being champion and going against tradition, he walked first to the ring to jeers as fireworks shot up above the iconic Wembley arches.

A sea of camera phones further illuminated the national stadium when fan-favourite Joshua – his eyes firmly focused on the ring – entered to a medley which started with the Godfather theme and ended with ‘War’ from Rocky IV.

Only four of their 49 combined wins had gone the distance and the expected early knockdown came in the first round from underdog Dubois when he connected with a superb overhand right in the closing seconds.

Joshua slumped to the canvas and had still not recovered in the second. Dubois did not take a backward step, stalking his opponent around the ring and finding success with his rod-like jab.

Perhaps Joshua was still haunted by those sparring stories from several years ago when Dubois reportedly rocked him.

The 2012 Olympic gold medallist was reeling in the third as a pumped-up Dubois whipped in a left hook and Joshua appeared to touch the floor with his glove. It was not counted as a knockdown, but Dubois continued the assault until Joshua was floored again.

He was dropped twice in the third – the second ruled a slip but the writing was clearly on the wall. Unified champion Usyk and Tyson Fury, who contest a rematch in December, watched on from ringside, scarcely believing how the fight had unfolded.

The chants of “AJ, AJ” had quietened.

After a closer fourth round, Joshua, for the first time in the fight, landed a clean punch in the fifth, only for it to spur Dubois into action.

A counter right-hand, a punch that will live forever in the memory of Dubois and all those in attendance, sent Joshua down for the final time.

The former poster boy of British boxing was left scrambling across the floor, desperately trying to get up, but unable to beat the count.

The Joshua vs Dubois will take place this Saturday, September 21, at Wembley Stadium.

At Monday’s face off Joshua, scowling in the sunshine, marched straight up to Dubois and, unblinking, glared down at his young rival.

Both have well-deserved reputations as fearsome punchers. But Dubois is looking for something more in this fight. He doesn’t just want to win by knockout. He wants to inflict something on his opponent which, for a boxer, is worse than that. He wants to make Joshua quit.

“I’ve got to make him quit, break him down, That’s my mindset going into this. Making him quit, breaking him,” Dubois told Sky Sports. I believe I can.”

Quitting was an allegation thrown at Dubois after his defeat to Joe Joyce. It’s a criticism of his character that he has been fighting to dispel ever since.

For him the sweetest victory of all would be to enforce an ending of that nature in the highest-profile event of his boxing life. For Dubois that would be a kind of cruel redemption.

“I’m turning it round now at this stage of my career. I’ve come through my ups and downs, just turning it round,” Dubois said.

“Enjoy the moment, let all the talking be done, let all the statements be made. I’m in a good place right now and I’m ready to fight.”

Joshua and Dubois had to be separated earlier in the promotion when an altercation threatened to take place at a joint interview.

The animosity still seemed to simmer between them at the staredown. “I looked into his eyes, and I don’t know, I’m so used to it now. It’s part of the game,” Dubois said.

He’s adamant that Joshua’s team are underestimating him. “Of course they are, he’s going to be in for the shock of his life,” Dubois said.

“Seize the moment. It will all become real. Enough of the thinking, enough of the talking.”

But he is happy enough to be perceived as the underdog. “I still have that mindset, I’m still like that. Everyone wants to see the underdog come through and come out on top,” he said.

“I’m the underdog and I love playing that role, make it another night to remember.”

Thompson, with an impressive record of nine fights, eight wins, and one draw, is confident of securing the coveted West African belt for Ghana.

His opponent, Salawu, brings a record of six fights, with four wins, one loss, and a draw.

Ahead of the bout, Thompson has called on the media and the public to support him with prayers and encouragement.

“I’m not just fighting for myself, but for my country and the people of Ghana,” he said. “I’m determined to make them proud and bring the title home,” he declared.

He also expressed deep gratitude to his management team, led by Madam Noami Yeboah, and his coaching team, headed by Charles Quartey.

“I couldn’t have made it this far without their tireless efforts and guidance,” he acknowledged.

The highly anticipated fight is set to take place on Sunday, September 15, 2024.

The heavyweight fights Renan Ferreira on 19 October in his first MMA fight since January 2022, having had two boxing fights since then.

Ngannou, 37, lost to former world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua but says he is not calling his return to MMA a “comeback”.

“I never left MMA. Also, I haven’t left boxing,” Ngannou told BBC Sport.

“I’m not returning to MMA, I never left MMA. That’s the confusion.”

Ngannou has just three losses in 20 MMA fights and 12 knockouts in those victories.

Ferreira, 34, has 11 knockouts in his 13 wins.

Ngannou is a former UFC champion but left the organisation in part to purse boxing alongside his MMA career.

The Cameroonian announced his move to rival MMA promotion the PFL in May 2023 but then competed in successive boxing fights.

Despite losing a controversial split decision to Fury and then suffering a heavy knockout defeat by Joshua, Ngannou does not see his switch to boxing as a “negative” experience.

“The fact that those fights even happened, it was something exceptional,” he said.

“I had that dream for over 20 years and I finally put it into fruition. That was dream chasing, a life-long dream I completed.”

The Algerian boxer won gold in Paris, despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA), after she was reported to have failed gender eligibility tests in 2023.

However, the International Olympic Committee strongly defended Khelif’s right to compete and ruled her to be eligible.

Her lawyer Nabil Boudi told Variety on Tuesday that Musk and Rowling would be named in the lawsuit, following comments they made on social media.

Khelif’s participation was widely discussed online, after Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her Olympic bout against her after 46 seconds.

Paris public prosecutor’s office told news agency AFP on Wednesday that they had launched a cyberbullying probe, following a complaint by Khelif.

However, a prominent French legal blogger wrote on X that it is unlikely Mr Musk or Ms Rowling would face prosecution, as French penal law doesn’t apply to acts committed outside of France against foreign nationals.

But prosecutors could press charges against those who sent messages on French soil.

Khelif, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, was cleared to compete in the women’s boxing in Paris, having been disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.

But the IOC took a different view, strongly defending the two boxers.

“This is a question of justice: women must be allowed to take part in women’s competitions. And the two are women,” IOC president Thomas Bach said.

X CEO Mr Musk and Harry Potter author Ms Rowling both posted comments about the boxer, with Ms Rowling saying Khelif was “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head” following the fight with Carini.

Mr Musk shared a post from swimmer Riley Gaines which said “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.

BBC News has contacted representatives for Mr Musk and Ms Rowling for comment.

Following her win, Khelif said “attacks” over her gender eligibility gave her victory against Chinese world champion Yang Liu a “special taste” after she won Olympic women’s boxing gold, a year after being disqualified from the World Championships.

“I am fully qualified to take part in this competition,” said 25-year-old Khelif. “I am a woman like any other woman.

“I was born a woman. I have lived as a woman. I competed as a woman – there is no doubt about that.”

A day after abandoning her own fight with Khelif, Carini said she “wanted to apologise” to her opponent for how she handled the moments afterwards, when she declined to shake hands with Khelif.

Yang had also been due to face Khelif in the final of last year’s World Championship – a title Yang went on to win – but Khelif was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) before they met.

The IBA said Khelif and Lin “failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition, as set and laid out in the IBA regulations”.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed them to compete, raised doubts about the tests and strongly criticised the IBA.

A chaotic news conference held subsequently by the IBA did little to clear the confusion around Khelif and Lin’s bans.

Chief executive Chris Roberts said the pair had “chromosome tests”, while president Umar Kremlev appeared to suggest the tests determined the fighters’ testosterone levels.

The BBC has been unable to determine what the eligibility tests consisted of.

The Russian-led IBA was stripped of its status as amateur boxing’s governing body by the IOC in 2019 because of fears over its governance and regulation.

Mahama made this commitment known during a Town Hall Meeting with Ghanaian youth at the Trust Sports Emporium, also known as the Bukom Boxing Arena, in honour of International Youth Day on Monday.

Ghana recently failed to qualify a boxer for the Paris Olympic Games, marking the first time in over 20 years that the country has not been represented in boxing at the Olympics.

Mahama emphasized that the Bukom Boxing Arena would serve as a hub for discovering and nurturing boxing talent from across the nation.

“This arena is not just this over; it is a complex. There’s a gym, a hostel, a restaurant, and a school. So even when the young people are training as boxers, they can attend classes and not miss school.

He further added that the original plan was for the Ghana Boxing Association to scout for young talents across various regions using mobile boxing rings.

“The intention was that the Ghana Boxing Association would go around the regions with mobile boxing rings to identify young talents. When they found these young talents, they would pick them and bring them to the centre of excellence. That was the purpose. Unfortunately, it hasn’t realized its full potential.

“Nonetheless, it is something we still have in mind because we have talent all over the country,” he added.

According to him, the Trust Sports Emporium, popularly known as the Bukom Boxing Arena will be a place to nurture and develop boxing talents.

“This arena is not just this over; it is a complex. There’s a gym, a hostel, a restaurant, and a school. So even when the young people are training as boxers, they can attend classes and not miss school,” he said.

The former President made the pledge on Monday during a Town Hall Meeting at the Bukom Arena with young Ghanaians to commemorate the 2024 International Youth Day.

“The intention was that the Ghana Boxing Association would go around the regions with mobile boxing rings to identify young talents.

“When they found these young talents, they would pick them and bring them to the center of excellence. That was the purpose. Unfortunately, it hasn’t realized its full potential. Nonetheless, it is something we still have in mind because we have talent all over the country,” he promised.

Source: Adomonline.com

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Agbeko, who has observed these issues firsthand, criticized the practice of building boxers by giving them easy fights to artificially inflate their records.

He indicated that, this approach does more harm than good, as it fails to adequately prepare boxers for tougher, more competitive bouts in the future.

According to Agbeko, the focus should be on developing boxers through challenging fights that truly test their skills and readiness.

Agbeko recounted a recent experience at a boxing event in Kwahu, where he witnessed two matches that were clearly fixed.

He was particularly embarrassed because he had brought a friend from the United States, who is well-versed in the sport, to the event.

In one of the matches, which featured two well-known boxers, Agbeko was looking forward to a competitive bout.

However, to his disappointment, one of the fighters pretended to be knocked down in a manner that was clearly staged.

This incident, he said, pointed the extent of the problem in Ghanaian boxing.

Agbeko warned that, such practices are detrimental to the sport and urged stakeholders to put an end to match-fixing and focus on building boxers the right way.

Despite his achievements and contributions to the sport, Agbeko reveals that he never truly felt embraced by the Bukom boxing fraternity.

Agbeko shared that while he felt the love and support of Ghanaians at large, his own soil never fully saw him as one of their own.

He attributes this partly to his Ewe heritage, as Bukom is predominantly a Ga community.

Although he lived and grew up in Gbese, a neighbourhood within Bukom, he never received the same recognition or warmth from the locals as other boxers did.

Another possible reason, Agbeko speculated, could be his reluctance to engage in the cultural practice of “spraying” money.

Unlike some boxers who frequently return to their roots to distribute money as a show of success and gratitude, Agbeko said he rather wanted his works to be appreciated than his show of generosity.

Watch video below:

Maybe it’s because I’m a ewe or because I don’t go spray money there but the bukom community never really accepted me as a boxer – JOSEPH AGBEKO. #GameTv#RingSide pic.twitter.com/MWOFJbIfUy

— Game TV Ghana (@GameTV_gh) August 10, 2024

The Algerian welterweight is one of two boxers competing in Paris despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after she was reported to have failed gender eligibility tests.

Amid wild support under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier – the French tennis venue repurposed for the boxing finals – Khelif dominated her Thai opponent to win by unanimous decision.

The win secured progression to her first Olympic final, having been knocked out in the quarter-finals in Tokyo three years ago.

She will fight Liu Yang of China in the gold-medal bout, bidding to become Algerian’s first boxing gold medallist.

“I am focused,” the 25-year-old said.

“I am here for a good performance and my dream. I will give everything I have for the final.”​​​​​​​

Khelif beat Suwannapheng by unanimous decision at last year’s World Championships, before being disqualified by the IBA.

Here, the crowd chanted her name as she entered the ring – and the Algerian looked more confident than she had at any point this week.

After the result was confirmed she dropped her guard and danced on the canvas, and a bout fought in good spirits ended with an embrace between the two fighters.

“I had heard about the news regarding her, but I wasn’t following it closely,” Suwannapheng said.

“She is a woman, but she is very strong. I tried to use my speed, but my opponent was just too strong.”

Khelif added: “I am very happy. I am happy for all the support here in Paris.

“I want to thank all of the people of Algeria who came here.”

Khelif’s Games began with a win against Angela Carini last week – a fight that lasted just 46 seconds before the Italian abandoned saying she “had to preserve” her life.

That sparked widespread debate over the eligibility of Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who was also disqualified by the IBA last year.

The IBA said Khelif had “failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition, as set and laid out” in its regulations, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said the pair had been “suddenly disqualified without any due process”.

The IOC, which suspended the IBA in 2019 because of concerns over its finances, governance, ethics, refereeing and judging, has allowed the pair to compete and strongly backed them.

President Thomas Bach said on Saturday there was “never any doubt” they are women.

A chaotic news conference held by the IBA on Monday did little to lessen the confusion, with key IBA figures giving conflicting statements on why they were banned.

The IOC said competitors were eligible for the women’s division if their passports said they were female.

It will now see Khelif, already guaranteed bronze by reaching this semi-final, in the final of its biggest stage in three days’ time.

Lin fights in her semi-final in the 57kg category on Wednesday.

The Algerian is one of two boxers competing in Paris despite being banned from last year’s World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after she was reported to have failed gender eligibility tests, a situation which has sparked huge controversy.

The 25-year-old’s previous bout lasted just 46 seconds but Khelif, having entered the ring to cheers from loud Algerian support, went the full three rounds on Saturday, winning by unanimous decision.

“I feel good,” an emotional Khelif told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.

“It’s the first medal in women’s boxing in Algeria – I’m very happy. I want to thank all the world and the Arabic world – thank you so much.”

Hamori said prior to the fight she did not “think it is fair” Khelif was competing, but the bout was largely fought in good spirits.

The pair shared an embrace after the bell and again after the result was confirmed.

“It was a very hard day for both of us but I just want to say it was a great fight and I wish good luck to Khelif in the future, and thank you so much,” Hamori said.

Asked again if she thought the fight was unfair, Hamori, who was booed into the arena, said: “I don’t care about it.”

Shortly after the fight, Algeria president Abdelmadjid Tebboune posted on social media: “You have honoured Algeria, Algerian women and Algerian boxing. We will stand by your side, whatever your results are. Good luck in the next two rounds and moving forward.”

Khelif will meet Janjaem Suwannapheng, who beat favourite Busenaz Surmeneli – the 2021 Olympic champion from Turkey – in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Even if she loses Khelif will leave the Paris Games with a bronze medal.​​​​​​​

Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting have been strongly backed amid tense debate by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who run the boxing competitions at the Games.

IOC president Thomas Bach said earlier on Saturday there was “never any doubt” the pair are women.

Khelif reached the final of last year’s World Championships before being disqualified by the IBA – a Russia-led organisation suspended by the IOC in 2019 because of concerns over its finances, governance, ethics, refereeing and judging.

The IBA said Khelif had “failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition, as set and laid out” in its regulations.

The IOC said the pair were “suddenly disqualified without any due process”.

Image source: EPA

Image caption: The Hungarian Boxing Association protested against Khelif’s participation at Paris 2024 before the fight

‘Controversy is a joke’

Yacine Arab, the sport manager of the Algeria National Olympic Committee, said the controversy around Khelif has been a “joke”.

Some reports have taken the IBA statement that Khelif and Lin have XY chromosomes to speculate they might have differences of sexual development (DSD) like runner Caster Semenya.

Arab denied this. Speaking to the BBC’s Roan before Saturday’s fight he said: “When she arrived at the village she did this test.

“Do you think if she was positive they would let her fight? Never. She did all the tests – even the tests for pregnancy. All the tests were negative.

“[The IBA] said she was positive and her testosterone is very, very high. Then the medical president of the IOC said that it’s really normal in boxing that the athletes’ testosterone is high. For all the girls it is the same. Imane is not alone in this case.

“The controversy is a joke. Everyone knows that Imane was born a girl. She has fought all her life as a girl. All the competitions she was a girl. When she was losing nobody talked about this.”

Khelif is one of two athletes who have been cleared to compete in the women’s boxing in Paris, having been disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) – which did not organise the World Championships but is running the boxing at Paris 2024 – said welterweight Khelif was disqualified in India because of elevated levels of testosterone.

Having received a bye in the first round at the Olympics, the 25-year-old – who also competed at the Tokyo Games – entered Arena Paris Nord on Thursday to much applause from the many Algerians in the crowd.

After taking a punch to the face inside 30 seconds, Carini went to the corner for her coach to fix her headgear but after briefly resuming, returned to her corner once more and stopped the fight.

Just before Khelif’s arm was raised by the referee, Carini could be heard on camera saying “it’s not right”.

She was in tears in the ring and as she faced the media after the bout.

“I wasn’t able to finish the match, I felt a strong pain to my nose and I said [to myself] for the experience that I have and the maturity as a woman that I have, I said I hope my nation won’t take it badly, I hope my dad won’t take it badly – but I stopped, I said stop for myself,” Carini told BBC Sport.

“It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment.

“I didn’t have fear, I don’t fear the ring. I don’t fear taking the blows. But this time there’s an end for everything, and I put an end to this match, because I wasn’t able to [continue].”

On Khelif, Carini told reporters: “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy.

“I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements.”

Khelif, who has lost nine times during her 50-fight career, told BBC Sport: “I’m here for the gold – I fight everybody.”

It comes a day after Algeria’s Olympic Committee condemned “baseless” attacks on Khelif.

Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was stripped of a bronze medal at last year’s World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test, fights in Paris on Friday.

The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.

On Tuesday, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”

The 2023 World Championships, at which Khelif and Lin were disqualified, were organised by the International Boxing Association (IBA).

But last June, the Russia-led body was stripped of its status as the sport’s world governing body by the IOC, which organised the boxing competitions at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is doing so again for Paris.

On Wednesday, the IBA said the pair were disqualified at the World Championships “to uphold the level of fairness and utmost integrity of the competition”.

It said they “did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognised test, whereby the specifics remain confidential”.

“This test conclusively indicated that both athletes did not meet the required necessary eligibility criteria and were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors,” the body added.

The pair had tests at the World Championships in Istanbul 2022 and then again in 2023.

The IBA said while Lin did not appeal against the disqualification decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Khelif did appeal but later withdrew it.

BBC Sport has contacted the Italian Olympic Committee and the IOC for comment.

The 22-year-old, who won gold at the African Games in Accra earlier this year and a bronze medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, tested positive for furosemide, a banned substance that is classed as a diuretic and masking agent.

The out-of-competition sample was collected by the International Testing Agency (ITA) on 25 July on behalf of the International Olympic Committee.

Ogunsemilore can appeal the result but any decision will not come in time for what would have been her Olympic debut fight against Shih Yi Wu of Chinese Taipei on Monday in the 60kg lightweight division.

The BBC has reached out to the Nigerian Olympic Committee for a response.

Ogunsemilore’s result means Nigeria have now had athletes suspended for doping violations at two successive Olympics following sprinter Blessing Okagbare’s positive test three years ago in Tokyo.

Okagbare was subsequently banned for 11 years for the use of human growth hormone.

Ahead of Paris 2024, there were concerns Nigerian athletes might not be allowed to compete under their own flag due to allegations made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) that the country’s own anti-doping agency is non-compliant with Wada regulations.

Nigeria’s National Anti-Doping Committee denies the charge and the case is currently being examined by the Court of Arbitration of Sport.

Usyk, 37, won the bout by split decision in Saudi Arabia to become boxing’s first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion.

Fury disputed the result in the immediate aftermath and maintains the belief that he did enough to get his arm raised.

“I’ve watched the fight back lots and still got the same answer – I thought I won,” Fury said on his YouTube channel, external.

“Usyk knows he didn’t beat me. It was actually a lot easier than I thought it’d be.

“My problem was I probably had too much fun. It was too easy. It was like I was in there with a local amateur boxer.

“I was enjoying it too much, messing around and paid the ultimate price in round nine.”

Ukraine’s Usyk is undefeated in 22 professional fights, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and was the undisputed champion at cruiserweight.

The scorecards read 115-112 and 114-113 for the Ukrainian, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury.

A rematch between former WBC champion Fury, 35, and Usyk has been scheduled for 21 December and the Englishman says he is already “back in the gym” preparing.

“I’ve got to get him out of there because I’m not gonna get a decision,” Fury said.

“It’s unfortunate because it’s hard enough to win a fight just by winning it, never mind knowing you’ve got to knock someone out.

“I’m confident and looking forward to the challenge. I hear he’s got a broken jaw and a broken eye socket, so get yourself well and I’ll see you in December.”

There are doubts over whether the undisputed title will be on the line again, with sanctioning body the IBF considering stripping Usyk of the belt as he will not be making a mandatory defence next.

Usyk has requested an “exception” to keep hold of the belt for the rematch.

Usyk beat Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era on 18 May.

A rematch was said to be in the works for October but Turki Alalshikh says the date has been pushed back to December.

“The world will watch another historical fight again,” Alashikh added on X.

“Our commitment to boxing fans continues. We hope you enjoy it.”

Usyk, the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, added Fury’s WBC belt to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection when they fought in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

The 37-year-old Ukrainian has won all 22 of his professional fights.

Alashikh did not name a venue or destination for the rematch but stated it would take place “during Riyadh Season”.

Riyadh Season is an entertainment festival held every winter since its launch in 2019 which has hosted a number of high profile boxing events.

The contest would give Briton Fury, 35, the opportunity to gain revenge after tasting defeat for the first time in his 16-year professional career against Usyk.

It is unlikely that all four belts will be on the line in the rematch with the IBF planning to strip Usyk as he will not be facing its mandatory challenger next.

However Usyk has requested an “exception” to keep hold of the belt for the rematch.

The IBF will told BBC Sport their “board of directors” would meet to discuss the request.

Berto was a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Games

In all, there are 51 Olympic slots available at the Bangkok qualifiers.

No Ghanaian boxer has qualified for the Olympic Games in Paris, despite Ghanaian representation at the 2023 African Qualifiers in Senegal and the 2024 tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.

Us-based female boxer, Ornella Sathoud secured Ghana’s third win at the ongoing Olympic Games qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, following her win on Monday.

Sathoud beat her Czech Republic opposition in Monika Langerova in the women’s middleweight contest to advance into the next stage of the qualifiers.

She won the bout through a split decision to send her two bouts away from a guaranteed slot in the Paris 2024 games.

Sathoud’s win follows victories on Sunday for Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey and Henry Malm, while Mohammed Amadu and UK-based Mark Kojovi Ahondjo have been eliminated.

Lucky Joseph Commey advanced into the round of 32 through a walkover against Bajoku Shpetim from Kosovo.

On a grand stage and on a legacy-defining night, Briton Fury began well but was given a standing 10 count and saved by the bell after an Usyk onslaught in the ninth round.

In a tense wait for the scorecards to be read out, Fury appeared convinced of victory before a stoney-faced Usyk broke down in tears when he was confirmed as the winner.

The scorecards read 115-112 and 114-113 for the Ukrainian, with a third judge scoring it 114-113 to Fury.

It meant Fury, 35, lost for the first time in a 16-year professional career. He will get an immediate opportunity for revenge with a rematch planned for later this year.

“I believe he won a few of the rounds, but I won the majority,” a defiant Fury said in the ring.

“It was one of the daftest decisions in boxing. I’ll be back.”

Usyk takes the WBC belt from Fury, to add to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection.

The 37-year-old remains unbeaten and is the first boxer in almost 25 years to stand tall as the sport’s sole heavyweight world champion.

“Thank you so much to my team. It’s a big opportunity for my family, for me, for my country. It’s a great time, it’s a great day,” Usyk said.

“Yes, of course. I am ready for a rematch.”

Usyk edges history-making fight

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Tyson Fury had never lost a pro fight in 16 years

Usyk – a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion – prevailed in a fight of two halves at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, propelling himself into the conversation to be considered an all-time great.

After a lack of buzz and noise in the arena for the undercard, not unusual for a Saudi card, a crowd of 20,000 that included famous faces such as Cristiano Ronaldo found their voice for the main event.

Usyk – resembling a warrior – made his entrance wearing a striking all-green traditional Ukrainian outfit, his eyes fixated on the ring.

In contrast to Usyk’s sternness, a playful Fury sang and danced to Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out For A Hero.

He raced to the ring and headed straight to Usyk’s corner and goaded his opponent, to the enjoyment of 2,500 travelling British fans.

As the two champions advanced to the centre of the ring at the chime of the first bell, the painstakingly long wait to crown an undisputed champion was about to end.

A smiling and brazen Fury showboated his way through the first round. Even when Usyk landed a solid left hook and backed him into the corner, the Gypsy King dismissively laughed it off.

Fury responded with two painful-looking uppercuts to Usyk’s midriff in the second.

The height and reach advantage of Fury was posing too much of a puzzle for Usyk to solve, or so it seemed.

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Usyk came back into the contest in the second half of the fight

Usyk has been guilty of starting slowly in the past and was badly hurt by an uppercut in the sixth as the fight appeared to be slipping away.

But he spectacularly came back in an astonishing ninth round.

With Lennox Lewis, the division’s last undisputed champion in the three-belt era, and fellow former champions Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield watching on from ringside, Usyk finally found his rhythm.

After a barrage of overhand lefts, a dazed Fury staggered around the ring – seemingly out on his feet – and into the ropes.

He was given a 10 count before the bell rang as the momentum suddenly swung in Usyk’s favour.

This was not the boring, tactical, chess-like match-up some pundits predicted but a barnstormer, living up to the pre-fight hype from fans and promoters.

Another bruising left hand caught Fury in the 11th. The pair touched gloves before the 12th – there was a feeling there was still all to play for.

But it was a spirited Usyk who may have just edged a competitive final round, and ultimately perhaps that got him across the winning line.

Usyk’s unshakable will prevails against a fit Fury

IMAGE SOURCE: GETTY IMAGES

Image caption: Usyk now holds the WBA, IBF, WBO & WBC heavyweight titles

October’s lacklustre performance against debutant Francis Ngannou left many wondering if Fury’s best days were behind him.

But he was a conditioned and fit competitor here, and any suggestion of his demise were quashed when he controlled early parts of a close encounter.

His chance of becoming an undisputed champion, however, may not come again soon.

A rematch is in the works for October but it is unlikely to be for all four belts – the IBF plan to strip Usyk as he will not be facing their mandatory challenger next.

“We’ll go back, rest up. I believe I won the fight but I’m not going to sit and cry and make excuses. We’ll run it again,” Fury added.

Fury may be licking his wounds behind closed doors when the dust settles as Usyk’s unshakable will to win and mental toughness prevailed in the Middle East.

The heavyweight world title is considered by boxing lovers as the greatest, most coveted, prize in sport, and the Crimea-born fighter left the ring draped in all four belts across his 6ft 3in frame.

Usyk, who competed as a middleweight as an amateur, showed that size does not always matter.

The two undefeated world champions will contest the historic undisputed heavyweight title in Riyadh, with all four belts on the line.

Fury – at 18st 7lb (262lb) – came in at his lightest in over four years but still with a significant weight advantage.

Ukraine’s Usyk weighed in at a career-heavy 16st (224lb), although it was incorrectly announced as 16st 6lb at the weigh-in.

WBC champion Fury – who has a history of causing mayhem at fight week events – refused to look Usyk in the eye at Thursday’s news conference but came out in a playful mood for the weigh-in.

Having danced his way on to the stage, he obliged with the face-off, leaning his head into unified champion Usyk and then pushing him back.

It prompted a melee between the two teams.

“I’m going to knock him right out,” Fury said, using a number of expletives.

“I’m coming for his heart. He’s getting it tomorrow, spark out. They [his team] can all get it if they want it.”

He ended the interview and stormed off the stage.

Asked what he said to provoke a reaction from Fury, Usyk said: “Don’t be afraid. I will not leave you alone tomorrow.”

Boisterous Brits cheer on slimmed down Fury

IMAGE SOURCE: REUTERS

Image caption: Fury and Usyk are both undefeated with a combined record of 55 wins and one draw

The majority of the 2,500 British fans expected to be in attendance on Saturday landed in the Saudi capital in the morning and made their way to the weigh-in.

Heavyweight legends were also rolled in as Lennox Lewis, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko watched events unfold.

Wales’ IBF super-featherweight champion Joe Cordina and Belfast’s Anthony Cacace successfully weighed in for their bout, along with the rest of the undercard.

Then it was time for the big men. The boisterous British fans, huddled together, jeered Usyk and erupted – chanting “there’s only one Tyson Fury” – when the Gypsy King entered.

The difference in size has been a hot topic throughout the build-up and Usyk – a former cruiserweight champion – came in only two pounds heavier than when he beat Anthony Joshua in 2022.

At 6ft 3in, he is giving up a six-inch height advantage. Fury also has a reach of 85in, compared to Usyk’s 78in.

Fury, 35, comes in more than stone lighter than his close points win over Francis Ngannou in October.

He was criticised for his conditioning against the boxing debutant and appears to have made the necessary adjustments.

Usyk, 37, and his team had previously mocked Fury by calling him “greedy belly”. This week, their insult has changed to “skinny belly”.

But there are concerns Fury may have lost too much weight, impacting his punch resistance.

Earlier in the week, Briton Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion in the three-belt era, said Fury appears to have lost size in his legs and it could make it easier for him to be knocked down.

Lawal, 29, faced Portuguese opponent Malam Varela at Harrow Leisure Centre on Sunday night for his first professional fight.

However, he couldn’t complete the six-round match after being knocked down.

Following a heavy punch to his face, Lawal collapsed in the ring and was attended to by paramedics on standby.

Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he was pronounced dead before resuscitation efforts could commence.

The promoters of the fight, Warren Boxing Management, expressed their sorrow, stating: “We would like to send our condolences to all of Sherif’s family, friends, coaches, and all those close to him at this tragic time.”

The British Boxing Board of Control also extended condolences.

“The British Boxing Board of Control sends their condolences to the family of Sherifdeen Lawal following his tragic passing after his Boxing contest on Sunday,” the BBBC posted on social media on Monday.

“The thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time.”

Lawal’s fight was the first scheduled for the night, but his untimely demise led to the cancellation of the entire event.

He was not selected for the first World Qualifier in Italy, but made it into the team for the 13^th African Games, and after two bouts won a silver medal.

His style of boxing did not impress many fans and the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), so he was not selected for the second world qualifier in Bangkok, Thailand scheduled for May 25 to June 2, 2024.

Guided by the experience in which all of Ghana’s boxers failed in two separate Olympic qualification competitions in Senegal and Italy, the GBF wants to feature boxers who are capable of qualifying for the Olympic Games as the road has not been smooth, but very tough.

All 12 boxers who fought for Ghana in the Olympic Games qualification round in Senegal last September were eliminated.

The Black Bombers tried again at the second Olympic qualifiers in Italy earlier in March, but none of them qualified.

The Ghanaian delegation will have the last chance to secure their tickets to compete in the Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok.

Abu Kamoko, who won a silver medal at the African Games has not been able to impress the boxing authorities.

Also known as Ambitious Tilapia, he caught the attention of Ghanaians when he reached the final of the 86kg cruiserweight division at the 2023 African Games but lost to Algerian opponent Kanouni Ousama in the finals and settled for silver.

According to the GBF, he must up his game to be able to represent the nation at a high level, as he looked very raw at the African Games.

However, Abu Kamoko who trains at the Bronx Gym feels because he got a silver at the African Games he must go to Thailand.

Also, not going to Thailand is Mohammed Aryeetey who won gold at the African Games.

Meanwhile, the GBF is planning to take the reserves in the Black Bombers to a tournament in New Zealand.

The 3-time former World Champion will face off against European Union Ambassador, Irchad Razaaly, in an exhibition match that will promote the power of sports to foster positive change for youth.

The event themed, “Diplo-Rumble” will highlight the strength of the partnership between the
European Union and Ghana, and takes place during the annual Europe Month celebrations.

Diplo-Rumble will take place at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra. It will bring together boxing fanatics, the diplomatic corps, government officials and young boxers.

It is open to the public with tickets pegged at ¢5, a sum that will be entirely used for equipment for youth boxers.

In partnering with the European Union, Azumah Nelson, underscores his commitment to sports as a tool for empowerment, particularly among young people.

Participating in this event serves as a powerful statement of solidarity, highlighting the positive impact that sports can have on individuals and communities alike.

At a face-off event in Accra, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, said, “Boxing is a sport that requires discipline, dedication, and, above all, mutual respect. It is a sport that transcends language, culture, and nationality, allowing individuals from all walks of life to come together and compete on a level playing field.”

“The European Union recognises the power of sports to break down barriers and empower all those who show talent and commitment. That is why we are working with Azumah Nelson and the Ghana Boxing Federation to promote sports diplomacy and support the talented youth of Ghana.

The event will be a highlight of our 2024 Europe Month celebrations, which are focused on youth and skills,” he added.

Azumah “Zoom Zoom” Nelson also commented, “I am a firm believer in the power of sports diplomacy. Throughout my career, I have seen first-hand the incredible impact that boxing can have in bringing people together, fostering understanding, and promoting peace.”

“As a proud ambassador of boxing, I am passionate about using this sport as a platform for promoting dialogue and creating opportunities for our younger generations. Sports helps to break down barriers, and build bridges.”

In an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV, the renowned Hall of Famer shared that his son chose to pursue a different career path, indicating that professional boxing’s demands and dedication were not in alignment with his interests.

Meanwhile, Azumah Nelson expressed support for his son’s decision, emphasizing that he continues to fulfil his paternal responsibilities in his son’s chosen field.

“He came to the realization that boxing is not necessarily suited for individuals from affluent backgrounds. It’s a sport often associated with perseverance and resilience, qualities typically found in those facing adversity. I respect his decision to move on from boxing, as it was him who experienced the physical toll,” Azumah Nelson remarked.

Reflecting on his own boxing career, Azumah Nelson shared insights into his fighting strategies, highlighting his ability to maintain composure and avoid being provoked by opponents.

“I never allowed myself to be emotionally rattled by my opponents because losing control could jeopardize the outcome of the match. It’s crucial to remain focused and composed, disregarding attempts to unsettle you,” he explained.

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Speaking to Adom TV in an exclusive interview, Kamako candidly admitted his lack of confidence in his construction abilities, confessing, “At present, if I were to construct a house for you, it might collapse.”

Instead, Kamako has redirected his aspirations towards boxing, aiming for global recognition and triumph.

He articulated his resolute determination to excel in the sport, with a particular focus on the forthcoming Olympic qualifiers in Thailand.

Kamako’s ardour for boxing has already yielded significant achievements, notably securing a silver medal in the cruiserweight division at the recently concluded 13th African Games.

His shift from building construction to boxing underscores his unwavering dedication to following his true passion and leaving an indelible mark in the realm of sports.

Abubakar Kamoko, popularly known as ‘Tilapia’, won silver at the African Games last week, surpassing his father’s bronze medal from the 1999 Games in Johannesburg.

Tilapia could have won gold but for his defeat in the men’s cruiserweight final to Algeria’s Ousama Kanouni.

Looking back on his son’s exploits, Braimah Kamoko expressed optimism that Tilapia will succeed where he failed.

“Abu is a very good boxer. He has the right name because of what I did. By the grace of God, Abu has the right management who can push him to become a world champion” he stated.

Braimah Kamoko who retired after 20 years of active boxing, knows what Abubakar Kamoko needs to do to realize the world title dream.

“There is no substitute for training hard. So he needs to intensify his training to perfect his craft. He needs to listen to his coach and check his social life. You know, women and alcohol. They don’t mix with boxing. If you are a boxer and you follow women and alcohol instead of working hard, you will fail” Banku added.

Abubakar Kamoko, who is 19-years-old is in line to represent Ghana at the next Boxing Olympic Qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, from 23 May to 3 June.

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Abu was one of Ghana’s impressive representatives at the African Games, having reached the final of his weight category.

However, he suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Algerian opponent Kanouni Ousama in the final, which meant he was unable to win a gold medal.

Having settled for silver, Abu has now explained that he wasn’t feeling well before the final but had to fight on after taking medicine.

Speaking on Sports Nite on Asempa FM, Abu revealed that he did not have enough rest for the final bout compared to his colleagues.

He was, however, quick to apologise for not meeting the expectations of Ghanaians and said he would do better next time.

Meanwhile, Ghana ended the African Games with four gold medals from boxing after Joseph Commey, Samuel Takyi, Amadu Mohammed and Mohammed Aryeetey all won their final bouts.

Watch video below

Commonwealth silver medalist Joseph Commey, Olympic bronze medalist Samuel Takyi, Amadu Mohammed, and Mohammed Aryeetey all secured gold in their respective weight divisions.

The first gold medal of the night was won by Mohammed Aryeetey, who only returned to the amateur ranks last year, ahead of the African Games.

Aryeetey defeated Tulembekwa Zola Livens, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, via a unanimous decision in the men’s Minimum weight division.

Two hours later, Joseph Commey defeated Zambia’s Andrew Chilata in the men’s lightweight final to bag Ghana’s second gold medal.

Having won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, the African Games gold adds to Commey’s improving resume.

Commey won the lightweight contest via a unanimous decision.

In the men’s Bantamweight final, Amadu Mohammed dispatched Zambia’s Mwale Mengo via a unanimous decision.

Next on the schedule was, Samuel Takyi, and he, like the three Black Bombers before, did not disappoint.

Takyi fought off a spirited performance by Zambia’s Emmanuel Katema to secure gold in the light welterweight final.

Despite dropping his opponent twice, the Zambian still threatened to ruin the party.
Takyi slipped in the third round when he tried to block a combination of right and left hooks from the Zambian.

However, Takyi recovered thanks to his superior ring craft to bring home the medal.

Friday’s gold at the African Games adds to Takyi’s bronze medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Friday’s haul is the most in a single day by Ghana at any African Games Boxing competition.

It’s also the most gold medal won by Ghana in a single African Games competition.

Meanwhile, Abubakar Kamoko, son of Braimah Kamoko, settled for silver after losing the Cruiserweight final to Algeria’s Ousama Kanouni.

After Janet Acquah’s bronze medal in the minimum weight category on Wednesday, Aryeetey and Commey’s progress means Ghana will do one better in the men’s boxing.

Aryeetey was the first to qualify on Wednesday after winning his semi-final contest with Morocco’s Hamza Essaidi via a unanimous (5-0) decision.

All five judges scored in favour of the minimum weight boxer in the men’s 48k contest at the Boxing Arena in the Trust Sports Emporium, Bukom.

An hour later, Joseph Commey also dispatched Algerian Oussama Mordjane.
The lightweight boxer qualified with a majority (4-1) decision in the men’s 60kg event.

Later today, the following Ghanaian boxers will be involved in various semi-final contests:

1. Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey – Flyweight -51kg.
2. Amadou Mohammed – Bantamweight -54Kg
3. Samuel Takyi – Light Welterweight -63.5Kg
4. Abubakar Kamoko – Cruiserweight -86Kg

Whatever happens tonight, Ghana are guaranteed seven medals (out of the 16 presented) by the end of the boxing competition.

Ramatu Quaye, Adelaide Djabartey, Sarah Apew, Abdul Walid Omar, Alfred Kotey, Henry Malm, Abdul Baki Adam & Jonathan Tetteh, and Daniel Plange are the boxers who could not make it to the medal zone.

The 2020 Olympic Games medalist secured his spot by defeating Tunisian boxer Mehdi Dridi in the 63.5kg weight category through a unanimous decision at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

In another remarkable performance, Mohammed Amadu also secured a place in the medal contention by achieving a technical knockout against his opponent Francis Nambi from DR Congo in the 54kg quarter-finals.

The Ghanaian contingent now boasts a total of seven boxers guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the games.

This includes Joseph Commey, Theophilus Allotey, Abubakar Kamoko, Mohammed Aryeetey, and Janet Acquah, who all secured their places in earlier rounds throughout the week.

Ghana has not clinched a gold medal in boxing at the African Games for the past three decades, a drought the Black Bombers are eager to end. With a strong lineup of boxers, hopes are high for breaking this streak.

As the boxers take a well-deserved rest today [Wednesday], the semi-final bouts are scheduled to kick off on Thursday evening.

Omar, a two-time African Games medallist, led in the opening two rounds of the 57kg contest before walking into a right hook.

Omar seemed badly hurt as he wobbled, prompting the referee to stop the contest in the third round.

Meanwhile, Joseph Commey secured a unanimous (5-0) victory over his Malian opponent Sidibe Daouda.

Victory in the men’s 60kg quarter-final contest means Commey will now join the four other Ghanaian boxers at the semi-final stage.

Also on Monday, Henry Malm lost in the light Middleweight -71 kg. The judges scored it 3-4 in favour of his Ugandan opponent Muzamir Semuddu at the quarterfinal stage.

Daniel Plange has also been eliminated from the men’s 92kg contest after falling to Gabon’s Symphorien Njinnou Moundat.

The quarter-final bouts will continue at the Bukom Boxing Arena at Trust Sports Emporium today.

At 7:00 pm Amadu Mohammed Bantamweight (54 kg) will face DR Congo’s Koyanzili Nambi Franci in the last of Ghana’s men’s quarter-final contests.

Samuel Takyi, Ghana’s Olympic medallist from the Tokyo 2020 Ganes, is still in the competition and will learn of his opponent in the light welterweight (63.5 Kg) contest today.

Here is the list of the Ghanaian boxers who have already qualified for the semi-finals and are guaranteed medals.

1. Janet Acquah (Minimum weight -48kg)
2. Mohammed Aryeetey (Minimumweight -48kg)
3. Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (Flyweight -51kg)
4. Joseph Commey (Lightweight -60kg)
5. Abubakar Kamoko (Cruiserweight -86kg)

While they excel, nine of their counterparts in the Black Bombers and Black Hitters team have been eliminated.

Ramatu Quaye, Adelaide Djabartey, Sarah Apew, Abdul Walid Omar, Alfred Kotey, Henry Malm, Abdul Baki Adam, Jonathan Tetteh, and Daniel Plange are the boxers to have been eliminated.

Competing in the 86kg cruiserweight category, Kamoko made his way into the semifinals with a hard-fought win against his opponent.

Following in his father’s footsteps, who won a bronze medal at the 1999 African Games in South Africa, Kamoko has already secured at least a bronze for himself.

But with aspirations set higher, Kamoko is eyeing a silver or gold by triumphing in his upcoming matches.

Kamoko’s triumph adds to Ghana’s boxing team’s stellar performance at the Games. Other boxers such as Janet Acquah (Minimum weight -48Kg), Mohammed Aryeetey (Minimumweight -48Kg), and Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (Flyweight -51kg) have also reached the semifinals in their respective categories, guaranteeing medals.

While six other Ghanaian boxers are still in contention for medals, including Amadu Mohammed (Bantamweight -54Kg) and Samuel Takyi (Light Welterweight -63.5Kg), some athletes, unfortunately, couldn’t progress further.

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Joshua, 34, floored the UFC champion in the first round and early in the second.

A dazed Ngannou rose to his feet in Riyadh but was stunned by an explosive and formidable right moments later as the referee halted the contest.

The 37-year-old appeared to be out before he even hit the canvas and required medical treatment.

“I’m going back to my cage and when they let me out, I’ll fight again,” Joshua said, as WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury watched on from ringside.

Fury made tough work of Ngannou in October when he was dropped by the debutant before edging a points win.

“When I saw the fight with Tyson Fury I thought ‘I want some of that’. [Ngannou] is a great champion and this doesn’t take anything away from his capabilities,” said Joshua.

“I told him not to leave boxing. He’s two fights in and he’s fought the best.”

Victory is two-time world champion Joshua’s fourth in 11 months, and keeps alive his ambition of recapturing a world title.

Eddie Hearn called for Joshua, who he has promoted throughout the heavyweight’s pro career, to face the winner of Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.

The pair will fight to become the undisputed heavyweight world champion in May, with a rematch later in the year.

“In five years I won’t be fighting,” Joshua added. “Eddie Hearn and my team will shape my future.”

A knockout for the highlight reels

With the card running more than an hour later than planned, it was 03:20 local time when master of ceremonies Michael Buffer introduced Ngannou to the ring.

Dressed in a pink and white robe with gold tassels, Ngannou made the solitary walk down the aisle to the tune of ‘God’s Plan’ by Drake.

A frowning Joshua looked full of purpose as he strutted to the ring with confidence. He kneeled down and recited a prayer in his corner.

Joshua drew the loudest reaction, a mixture of boos and jeers. He seemed completely undeterred, his eyes set firmly on Ngannou.

And it was a near-perfect start for the Watford-born fighter. Ngannou had just narrowly missed with a lead left hand as Joshua remained calm and composed.

AJ extended his backhand to land a flush right down the pipe. By flooring Ngannou, he had done within three minutes what Fury failed to do in 10 rounds four months ago.

A stunned Ngannou got up on the count of eight and saw out the round.

Joshua has become a smarter fighter in recent years, honing his technical ability. He doubled his jab, bided his time and waited for an opening.

Another right hand had Ngannou clamouring on the floor. He beat the count in the nick of time but the writing was on the wall.

The finishing punch was one which will undoubtedly take centre stage in future Joshua knockout highlights reel.

A statement win in Saudi

A well-schooled amateur boasting Olympic gold and a two-time world champion with wins against some of the best in the division, Joshua’s experience prevails in the early hours in Riyadh.

The razzmatazz of Saudi boxing was on show, albeit still under the backdrop of critics claiming the Kingdom is using high-profile sporting events to ‘sports wash’ away its human rights records.

While it was not the star-studded affair seen in past event in the region, former champions Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao rubbed shoulders with the likes of football manager Jose Mourinho and Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo.

The card was billed as ‘knockout chaos’ but the Saudi crowd – as they usually do – behaved in a very quiet and orderly manner.

The pressure was on Joshua to deliver a message to rival Fury. A fighter who has faced an intense level of scrutiny in recent years, Joshua acknowledged the impact of trainer Ben Davison.

Davison was in Joshua’s corner for the second time, having also overseen December’s dominant win over Otto Wallin.

“I didn’t want to disrespect Ngannou but he’s not been hit by someone like AJ before,” Davison told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I’ll let people judge whether he is improving. The only way to find out who is the best is to get the winner of Fury and Usyk. That’s the only thing that makes sense.”

Whether Ngannou listens to Joshua’s advice and returns to the sport anytime soon awaits to be soon, but the ‘Predator’ is a proven winner – whether it be in life, the UFC octagon or a boxing ring.

His journey has taken him from a 12-year-old working in sand quarry in Cameroon to living on the streets of Paris, before becoming UFC champion.

Although his childhood dream of becoming a boxing world champion may never become reality, Ngannou is set to return to MMA later this year with the PFL in search of his next prey.

He was expected to turn the tide after setbacks Team Ghana endured at noon on Monday.

The day started on a somber note as female boxer Anatu Mohammed was defeated by Romanian Lorendana Marin in the Women’s Lightweight Division, and Alfred Kotey succumbed to Milos Bartl of the Czech Republic in the Men’s Light Middleweight Division.

These losses, alongside earlier eliminations of UK-born Ghanaian heavyweight Mark Kodjovi Ahondjo and light heavyweight Jonathan Tetteh, have resulted in five of the seven Ghanaian boxers bowing out of the competition.

Despite these exits, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The team has another chance to secure Olympic slots at the upcoming qualifiers in Bangkok, Thailand, in May.

Meanwhile, Theophilus Kpakpo Allottey stands as Ghana’s remaining beacon of hope in Italy.

After securing a unanimous points victory against World Championships quarter-finalist Tu Po-Wei of Taiwan, Allottey is set to compete against Bhutan’s Tashi Wangdi in the round of 16 on Wednesday.

In the Women’s category, Janet Acquah will also be in action on Friday in the Flyweight Division.

Briton Joshua takes on ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on Friday.

WBC belt holder Fury will face Ukraine’s unified champion Usyk in May, also in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

“The dream for Joshua has always been to be undisputed,” Hearn told BBC Sport.

“If AJ beats Ngannou and Fury beats Usyk, the whole world will be calling for Fury v Joshua.

“It’s probably one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Certainly the biggest fight in boxing now.”

Fury-Joshua in 2024 unlikely

In January, Saudi Turki Alalshikh – one of boxing’s leading power brokers – revealed plans for the winner of Joshua-Ngannou to land a shot at the undisputed title next.

The chairman of Saudi Arabia’s general entertainment authority, with the riches of the Kingdom behind him, has quickly become one of the most influential figures in boxing.

“He wants to make the biggest fights out there,” Hearn said. “He’s a huge fan, like us and everybody else. If he has the ability to make the fight I’m sure he will do everything he can to make it happen.”

But despite Alalshikh’s grand plans and Matchroom promoter Hearn’s optimism, the prospect of Joshua challenging Fury for all four world titles in his next fight seems unlikely.

Internally at broadcasters DAZN, they don’t expect Fury-Joshua to happen before 2025.

Queensberry’s Frank Warren, who represents Fury and is also co-promoting Joshua-Ngannou, is not convinced Usyk would step aside – unless an injury or other external factors prevent him from contesting the rematch.

“Of course, AJ-Fury is the fight we all want to see because at the end of the day it’s two Brits and there’s been that rivalry between them and the two promotional companies for god knows how many years,” Warren said.

“I think Tyson wins the fight against Usyk but then do you see Usyk and his management team stepping aside?

“I don’t. Especially for the monies that’s involved. But anything can happen in boxing.”

Vacant title shot more likely for AJ, Ngannou plans MMA return

A rematch between Usyk and Fury is not expected to be for all four titles. The IBF has written to both teams saying the winner must face the sanctioning body’s mandatory challenger and no exception will be granted for a second fight.

Joshua had made clear his ambition of becoming a three-time world champion and the more likely scenario for the 34-year-old, should he beat Ngannou, would be challenging for the vacant title against Croatia’s number-one ranked IBF fighter Filip Hrgovic.

A win over boxing novice Ngannou is not a foregone conclusion either.

The French Cameroonian, in his first pro fight, suffered a close split-decision loss to Fury in October, having dropped the Gypsy King in the third round.

“AJ is very proud of his resume and legacy but if he loses lose to a guy who has been defeated in his only professional bout, that is not a good look,” Hearn added.

“A defeat would put him way back in the pecking order after we’ve done all the work to be on the verge of the top again.”

A shock win over Joshua would strengthen Ngannou’s legitimacy as a heavyweight contender.

Fury has also spoken about a potential rematch with Ngannou in the future, but the 37-year-old is scheduled to return to MMA with the PFL this summer, with the promotion intending to announce an opponent later this month.

Fury, 35, was cut in sparring at his training camp in Saudi Arabia on Friday in preparation for the bout on 17 February in Riyadh.

The injury above Fury’s right eye needed “urgent medical attention” and “significant stitching”.

In a statement, the Briton said he was “absolutely devastated”.

Fury is the WBC champion with Ukraine’s Usyk, 37, holding the WBA, WBO and IBF belts.

If the fight does take place at a later date, the winner will be crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.

Fury said he had been preparing to face Usyk “for so long” and was in “superb condition”.

“I feel bad for everyone involved in this huge event and I will work diligently towards the rescheduled date once the eye is healed,” he added.

In a later Instagram post he wrote: “Can’t help getting injured in sparring but what I can say was Usyk was in trouble. I am in fantastic shape. I will reschedule soon as I can. 2024 a massive year for team GK.”

Promoters Queensberry Promotions said once doctors have assessed the cut they will have a “better idea of the recovery period needed”.

The fight was originally scheduled for 23 December but Fury’s controversial decision win over former UFC fighter Francis Ngannou in October scuppered those plans.

Morecambe-born Fury has won 34 fights with one draw since turning professional in 2008.

He had previously faced criticism for failing to reach terms with Usyk after a proposed bout at London’s Wembley Stadium in April fell through.

Saudi Arabia has ploughed millions of dollars into staging huge sporting events, with critics saying the unprecedented spending is being used to enhance the oil-producing kingdom’s international reputation and deflect from its human rights record and environmental impact.

However, in a recent interview with the BBC, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal said claims of ‘sportswashing’ were “very shallow”, insisting the investment is boosting the country’s economy, opening it up to tourism and inspiring people to be more active.