Malik Jabir is Africa champion

Ghana’s Abdul Malik Jabir romped to the height of African boxing in the featherweight division when he won a unanimous points decision over Sunday Okolie of Nigeria in the early hours of yesterday.

Despite his dominance in virtually the entire duration of the fight, the former national and West Africa bantamweight king had to battle the stubborn Nigerian through 12 tough rounds before clinching the ABU title.

Malik was never in trouble in the fight although his foe threw some accurate punches intermittently, but it was Okolie who earned respect for his staying power.

By the end of the fifth round, Okolie’s right eye was swollen, raising doubts about his ability to finish the game. But he proved all sceptics wrong by going the distance though it was with great difficulties.

The unanimous verdict of 120-108, 119-108 and 118-109 of the three judges, confirmed the might of the new champion.

The marathon event, put together by Hush Hush Promotions and Management Syndicate in association with Metro Sports and GTV, saw the return of Ben Ankrah to the throne of the national lightweight division. Stephen ‘Ataa Gyata’ Okai also retained the national and West Africa super lightweight title with a unanimous verdict.

Ankrah won a split decision over Kpakpo Allotey while Okai made his victory less doubtful over ‘Black Mosquito’ Badu Akuetteh.

In other fights, James Toney won a seventh round technical knockout victory over Nigeria’s Mojeeb Okedara in a middleweight contest while Osumanu Akaba won a unanimous points decision over Theodore Lokosso also of Nigeria in their featherweight contest.

Abudulai Amidu crushed Mbela King of Congo DR in only the first round of their international super featherweight contest.

Kuma Doe won his maiden bout against Samuel Turkson while Alfred Tetteh and Ben Odamten battled to a draw in their featherweight contest.