By Prince Dornu-Leiku: Victor Ahiakpor may be known in sporting circles for his football club Heart of Lions but the man nicknamed the Abramovich of Ghana soccer says he is extending sports to boxing because he has big plans to revive the sport.
The first boxing promotion dubbed ‘Only the Strong’ by his Heart of Lions Promotions on October 8 at the Lebanon House in Accra is headlined by the Interim World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa Super Featherweight championship between Ghana’s Osumanu Akaba and Theodore Lokossou of Benin.
“I’m a boxing fan. I’ve decided to shift attention to boxing because I can see lots of young men with lots of potential. I will set a record by making my boxer Dodzi Kemeh a world champion within a short time,” Abramovich told the Ghanaian newspaper ALL SPORTS:
He also pledges Heart of Lions supporters that the football club will thrive even as he switches to another sport.
“No way Heart of Lions will die. I just want to shift some attention to boxing. Lions still exist and will continue to flourish in the football league,” Mr. Ahiakpor promised.
Some of the fights featuring on the ‘Only the Strong’ bill include Bukom Snake Malik Jabir against John Larbie for WABU (West Africa Boxing Union) Lightweight title and the Ghana Super Bantamweight contest between champion Raymond Commey and Isaac Nettey.
Others are Sena Agbeko against Eric Kwardey in a Super Middleweight clash, Dodzi Kemeh, Abramovich’s own boxer whom he has promised to make world champion in a record time, versus Baaba Clay in a Welterweight contest and another welterweight fight featuring Kofi Manu and Nii Akrong.
“It will be one of a kind and an exhibition of the big ambition to bring back the love and patronage of boxing by Ghanaians.
Mr. Ahiakpor told ALL SPORTS: “Last Saturday when Mayweather and Ortiz fought in faraway America, many Ghanaians stayed up late to watch the fight so there is no question that they love boxing. Heart of Lions Promotions we are here to revive boxing.”
A press conference to outline the bouts on the night of ‘Only the Strong’ and other plans of Heart of Lions Promotions is scheduled for the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium in the Ghanaian capital on Monday September 26.