Boxing News of Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Source: GNA

Ataa Eddie leaves for Kenya for a WBC bout

Accra, March 28, GNA - Ghana's World Boxing Council (WBC) ring official, Ataa Eddie Pappoe leaves Accra tonight (Wednesday) for Nairobi, Kenya, as a judge in a WBC middleweight female championship bout between a Kenyan and an American on Saturday, April 1. Conjestina Achieng of Kenya is hoping to upstage her American adversary Yvonne Reis in what the connoisseurs of the sport believe would be a fierce battle.

An e-mail message from Mr. Houcine Houichi, President of the African Boxing Union (ABU) and a Vice President of the WBC sighted by the GNA Sports confirmed the appointment saying, "I have appointed you (Eddie) as a judge in t he coming female championship on April 1, in Nairobi, Kenya."

Ataa Pappoe who is also the President of Ring Officials of the Africa Boxing Union told the GNA Sports prior to his departure that the appointment further vindicates him of any wrong doing during a recent Commonwealth title fight between Ghana's Osumanu Yahaya (Ossie Duran) and Bradley Pryce of Wales.

The SWAG ring official of the year was accused by Alhaji Tuofic, local manager of Duran of scoring against his own countryman, Duran. A fax message from the British Boxing Board of Control Limited signed by Simon Block, General Secretary, days after the bout, however, said; "Mr Pappoe conducted himself properly and represented the Ghana Boxing Authority extremely well and would be welcomed back here as a judge again in the future."

An elated Ataa Pappoe said the appointment showed that his competence was unquestionable, adding that he was going to raise the flag of Ghana high.