Ghanaian Super bantamweight Samuel Martei Laryea annexed the Universal Boxing Organisation Africa Super Bantamweight title on Saturday at the Palace Forecourt in Akropong, Eastern Region of Ghana.
A highly motivated and tenacious commodity on the night, Laryea proved too much for Nigerian boxer Lukman Akinolugbade to handle.
Lukman, a former member of the Nigerian Amateur Boxing team had intentions of causing a major upset and actually stood his grounds from the opening bell; exchanging heavy leather in a highly aggressive but tactically tilted encounter.
But persistent, consistent and calculated pressure from the Dansoman based Martei saw Lukman fold up gradually.
After four rounds, feeling he had emptied his tank after putting in a hard fight, Lukman, now 7- 3-1, threw in the towel. Fans of Martei Laryea who had travelled with him for the fight then burst out in wild jubilation; carrying their hero shoulder-high.
During the post-fight interview with Ring Announcer Samuel Opoku Amoah Lukman Akinolugbade sighted poor preparation for his predicament, " I know I can beat him. What happened was that I had a late notice hence I didn't get adequate preparation. I want a rematch, " the Nigerian pugilist demanded.
But Martei Laryea who is managed by Dr. Adae Opoku Amoako of ACE Power Boxing wouldn’t have none of that, " I beat him fair and square and was on the verge of stopping him before he retired. He knew what was coming. No rematch, we're moving up to bigger things," he declared, dismissing the possibility of a rematch.
He thanked the ACE Power Promotions team, his technical team led by Trainer George Smart Abbey of the Accra Boxing Club, his teeming fans and the Okuapemanhene Oseadieyo Kwesi Akuffo III for putting up the bill.
The bout was on the Odwira Boxing Night card to commemorate the annual Odwira festival of the people of Akuapem Akropong.
Also present were Nana Gyekye Anti II - a traditional chief in the town, Ghana Boxing Authority President Abraham Kotei Neequaye, Ace Power General manager Isaac Amankwaah and hundreds of boxing lovers.
The bill also featured charismatic UK based Ghanaian boxer Freezy Macbones who knocked out his opponent in the first round.
By Samuel Opoku Amoah
Prince Annang
Oct 14, 2024Many thanks for updating us with the story....and congratulations to Martei Laryea for winning the title. Moving on, let's get the spelling of the Okuapehene's title right. Many thanks