The World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA), the only boxing sanctioning body based in Africa, has announced it will honor Ghanaian boxing legend Professor Azumah Nelson with a special championship belt. The new title, named the “Azumah Nelson Champion Emeritus,” will be officially launched and first contested on Easter Saturday.
According to ace matchmaker Rashid Williams, also known as Believer, the title will be fought for on Easter Saturday, April 4, 2026. It will be contested in two weight divisions: Featherweight and Super Featherweight. This move is intended to help develop boxing skills and talent in these categories.
With this honor, Professor Azumah Nelson becomes only the second boxer in the world to receive such recognition from WABA. The first was the “Charles Manyuchi Champion Emeritus,” dedicated to the Zimbabwean former WABA world middleweight champion.
The organization stated that both men represent a “brand of new Africa.”
The grand ceremony and fights will take place at the Aborigines Beach Resort in Keta, located in the Volta Region.
Mitch Gilbert Wooollams has secured the exclusive rights to promote the event, which will feature WABA’s inaugural “Supreme Championships.”
The main event will see a clash between Ghana’s Michael Pappoe and Michael Ansah, also known as “One Bullet.” They will fight for the vacant WABA Supreme Prof Azumah Nelson Champion Emeritus World Super Featherweight Championship.
This bout was set after Ezekiel Annan withdrew from the contest.
In another major fight on the undercard, Beninese boxer Justin Hounkpevi will take on Ghana’s Abubak Mubarak for the vacant WABA Supreme World Super Middleweight championship.
The event, organized by Aborigines Boxing Promotions, will be overseen by the President of WABA, Hon. Ky Col Onesmo Alfred McBride Ngowi. He will be in attendance alongside Professor Azumah Nelson himself, promoter Mitch Gilbert Wooollams, and many other notable figures from the world of sports and entertainment.
Professor Azumah Nelson is a two-time world champion, having held titles in both the Featherweight and Super Featherweight divisions during his legendary career.
