Ghana’s professional boxing scene has been dealt a blow after two of the country’s champions were stripped of their titles by the sport’s governing bodies, with both the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and the World Boxing Association (WBA) citing inactivity as the reason for the decisions.
Jonathan Tetteh, who fights under the moniker “Worldwide,” has been relieved of the WBA Africa Light Heavyweight title he won at the Legon Sports Stadium after outpointing compatriot Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah in a closely fought unanimous decision last December, a victory that was widely celebrated as one of the standout results of his young professional career.
Also affected is Faisal Abubakar (21-1), who has lost his WBO Africa Lightweight belt following a controversial defeat suffered in Germany. According to his trainer, Ernest Ofori, Abubakar was in fact stripped of the title two months ago, meaning the boxer had already been without the belt for some time before the development became public knowledge.
Ratings Fallout Expected
With both titles now vacant, Tetteh and Abubakar are expected to drop in their respective world and continental rankings, a consequence that typically follows the loss of a championship belt.
Summary
Jonathan “Worldwide” Tetteh – stripped of the WBA Africa Light Heavyweight title, won against Freezy Macbones (Seth Gyimah) at the Legon Sports Stadium.
Faisal Abubakar (21-1) – stripped of the WBO Africa Lightweight belt, two months after a controversial loss in Germany, per trainer Ernest Ofori.
Reason cited: Inactivity, as ruled by the WBA and WBO respectively.
Abban Climbs the Rankings
Amid the disappointment, there was brighter news elsewhere.
Michael Abban of the Black Panthers Boxing Gym, who holds the Commonwealth Silver title and competes across the Super Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions, has broken into the top 15 in his weight class, offering a welcome lift for the local boxing fraternity.