By Prince Dornu-Leiku – Ghana’s enigmatic Light-Heavyweight contender Braimah Kamoko is basking in the glory of winning a first world title. Kamoko, famously called Bukom Banku stopped Argentine opponent Hector Velazco in the 10th of their scheduled 12 rounder to claim the vacant World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) Light-heavyweight belt last Saturday night.
Banku dominated throughout amid wowing the crowd in what was the main event of the ‘Night of Champions’ put together by GoldenMike Boxing Promotions. Famous Ghanaian former world champions Azumah Nelson, Joshua Clottey and Joseph Agbeko were all at ringside at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra to lend their support..
A total of six bouts which also saw two other WPBF world champs crowned on the night, climaxed with the triumphant Braimah Kamoko dancing to some of his favourites music tunes after technically knocking out the Argentine challenger.
But the Ghanaian pugilist who has defied many setbacks including an eye defect to maintain his ambition of following in the footsteps of other Ghana world champions, says he is ready to take on the big boys of the division in world boxing.
“I am very happy and proud to have won this title and I thank Ghanaians for their support and Golden Mike Promotions for giving me the opportunity to fight for this title.
“But I’m not resting yet because I have other goals to achieve and that is to compete in big fights in America. I want to fight for the WBC, WBA or IBF titles,” Kamoko said at ringside moments after being crowned as Ghana’s latest world boxing champion.
And to begin his ambitious American Odyssey, Bukom Banku has already thrown down the gauntlet to Light-Heavyweight all-time great Roy Jones Jnr. “I want to be a true world champ. I want to be like Azumah (Nelson), Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko, I want to show the world what I can do and I want Roy Jones now.
“I am ready now so I am calling on America, give me a fight with Roy Jones and you will see the real ‘Banku,’” the newly crowned WPBF champ affirmed.
In other fights on the night, Albert Mensah AKA Torano became the first Ghanaian to be crowned a WPBF champion after claiming a decision win over Russian Karen Tevosiyan.
Joshua Okine popularly called Bukom Tsatsu is also a WPBF champions following his impressive unanimous victory against Muhammad Abdullaev of Uzbekistan.
Emmanuel Tagoe AKA Game Boy was another Ghanaian victor, swiftly defending his WBO Africa Super Featherweight title with a first round stoppage of Kenya’s Samuel Kamau. Ishmael Aryeetey also won a majority decision against Alfred Tetteh for the WBO National Featherweight title in the only all-Ghanaian clash on the night.
Peter Mashamaite of South Africa was responsible for the only Ghanaian defeat on the night, earning a unanimous point’s decision win over Ishmael Tetteh AKA Ghana’s Roy Jones. Mashamaite earned the WBO Africa Middleweight championship for the win.