Female trainer Margaux (Diamond Worrier) will be in the corner of Ghana’s  Lawrence Nmai Corner as he takes on Emmanuel Shijia from Tanzania in the WBC Muay Thai Super Middleweight championship at the Omanye Hall of the Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

The top trainer from Switzerland is expected to be supported by Natacha De Almeida and Isaac Doku as they aid Lawrence to return to the top ranks of world Muay Thai.

According to Lawrence Nmai, he cannot disappoint his home fans and will put up a splendid show to entice people to love the sport.

He commended his opponent for having the courage to challenge him, but won’t get it easy against ‘The Punisher’.

His record is now 36 fights with 31 wins (20KOs), while the Tanzanian has 25 wins and 18 KOs.

Lawrence Nmai, believes he will win the fight easily as he has trained very hard, losing 22 pounds in a few weeks to make the weight for the championship.

He said Ghana will host an international Muay Thai competition very soon, and urged all athletes who are interested to start training and get prepared for the dates.

Muay Thai is a popular sport which is also known as ‘Thai Boxing’ or ‘Art of Eight Limbs’.

it is a martial art and combat sport which involves the stand-up striking and techniques using fists, elbows, knees and shins.

The event which is a Don’s Promotion Bill in collaboration with GH-1 will see fights like the WBO Interim World Lightweight Championship (Females) between Natacha De Almeida (Swizz) and Najma Isike (Tanzania) as well as various divisional bouts.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Three Ghanaian boxers have qualified for the upcoming Olympic Games which comes off in Tokyo, Japan from July 28 to August 8 2021 and it is very important to assess their chances at the biggest sports festival in the world.

Boxing has been Ghana’s best discipline at the Games having won silver in Rome in 1960 by light welterweight Clement Ike Quartey, bronze in 1964 in Tokyo by Eddy Blay, another light welterweight and another bronze in 1972 in Munich by middleweight Prince Amartey.

Black Bombers, as the Ghana Boxing team are known have done well over the years in other Olympic Games, but have not won any medal since,

Jessie Manyo Plange reached the Quarter Finals in 2008 in Beijing, while Duke Micah said he could have won a medal in 2012 if he was well psyched and motivated.

Isaac Dogbe who was also representing in 2012 became a WBO Super Bantamweight champion of the world.

Coach Dr. Ofori Asare who has experienced four Olympic Games feels history can repeat itself in Tokyo, as his boys are really determined to shine.

Sulemanu Tetteh, the captain of the team was first to qualify in Dakar, Senegal during the 2019 African Qualifiers. He had it very tough at the qualifiers but proved that he is one of the best and fastest boxers in Africa.

He placed third to qualify for the Olympic Games and believes luck can smile on him through the balloting to reach the medal zone in the Flyweight Division. 

Featherweight, Samuel Takyi is a debutant, who went to his premier international tournament in Senegal  and beat the best on the continent to make it.

Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the year 2019, cruiserweight Shakur Samir qualified vie the balloting as the fourth best in Africa and one of the best 10 in the world,

He said it is time to do what his brothers could not achieve in 2020 (2021), as he is very determined to bring back home glory and a medal like he did at the African Games in 2019.

The Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) President Mr. George Lamptey said the team wants to feel the love of Ghanaians and appealed to corporate Ghana to show affection to the national boxers.

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) set the pace by paying for the participation at the African Qualifiers and has never looked back.

Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, the GOC President has also appealed to individuals and companies to support the Black Bombers to realize their dreams.

Mr. Michael Aggrey, Chef de Mission for Tokyo said boxing has always been the hope of Ghana and still remains the hope of the nation.

The success story of the current Black Bombers 2020 can not be complete without mentioning Alhaji Inusah. Geodrill, Bukom Boxing Ltd, Hon, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, MP for Ablekuma South, the Trust Sports Emporium, Mr. Baffour, the physiotherapist. Golden Beach Hotel and the media.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Mr. Michael Annan, CEO of Don’s Promotions has announced a 300ghc flat rate gate fee for the upcoming ‘Unleashing The Titans Return’ event at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday, May 15, 2021.

He said due to Covid - 19 protocols, the 1,000 capacity Omanye Hall will take only 150 VVIP Guests.

He stated that all media who wish to cover the bouts must contact Media 7, their media partners.

He called for the organization of boxing in a disciplined and decent manner.

According to him. Boxing is not an individual sport as many people work for the promotion and the boxers.

“ Lets bring value to boxing in Ghana and Africa” he expressed

The lineup features boxing fights and a Muay Thai championship with Middleweight Obodai Sai of Ghana against Mrisho Adam from Tanzania as main event of the night.

Both boxers weighed in successfully at the Jubilee Pool Bar in Accra.

Ghana’s Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai who meets Emmanuel Shijia of Tanzania for the WBC Muay Thai Middleweight Championship weighed at 166.3 pounds while his opponent stood at 164. 3 pounds.

Shijia promised to pick the title, but Nmai replied he can not lose before his home fans, he was hopeful of a vital victory.

Najma Isike from Tanzania will challenge Natacha De Almeida of Switzerland in a lightweight Female Championship over six rounds.

Benin’s Chislan Vodounhess will clash with Albert Commey in a SuperBantamweight Contest.

Michael Abban will meet Godwin Tetteh in a Flyweight contest.

James Okine of Ghana will clash with Korede Mojeed of Nigeria in an international Middleweight contest.

Experienced Raymond Commey will take on an opponent yet to be named in a Super Bantamweight Contest over 10 rounds.

The event would see other Muay Thai bouts involving Samuel Plange versus Tano Jeremie and Felix Kotoka against Sodiq Mohammed.

Meanwhile, journalists are not enthused about the rapport Don’s Promotions has with them as most have published and promoted the fights, and now they are not being issued with accreditation.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Conor McGregor was the world’s highest-paid athlete over the last year ahead of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the annual Forbes list.

During the 12-month period ending May 1, 2021, Irish MMA fighter McGregor earned $180m (£128m), a figure which Forbes said includes $158m (£112m) from endorsements and the recent sale of the majority stake of his whiskey brand.

He made just $22m (£15m) inside the Octagon – McGregor lost his rematch against Dustin Poirier in January this year in Abu Dhabi.

It is the 32-year-old’s first time at No 1 and his second appearance in the top 10 – McGregor was named at No 4 with $99m (£70m) in 2018 after the fight against Floyd Mayweather.

McGregor recently claimed he had held talks about buying a stake in Celtic from their principal shareholder Dermot Desmond, adding that he could do “big things for a club” and also said that he likes Manchester United.

Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi was second on the list and set a record as the highest-earning footballer after bringing home $130m (£92m), while Portugal and Juventus forward Ronaldo earned $120m (£85m) to sit third among the top 10 highest-paid athletes.

NFL quarterback Dak Prescott ($107.5 m/£76m) of the Dallas Cowboys and four-times NBA champion LeBron James ($96.5 million) rounded off the top five.

Just outside the top five were PSG and Brazil forward Neymar at sixth ($95m/£67.5m), 20-time tennis Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at seventh ($90m/£64m), and seven-time F1 championship winner Lewis Hamilton ($82m/£58m) finished eighth in the list.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Tom Brady with $76m (£54m) and Brooklyn Nets’ Kevin Durant $75m (£53m) made up the rest of the top 10.

Forbes said its on-the-field earnings figures include all prize money, salaries and bonuses earned during the 12-month period while off-the-field earnings are an estimate of sponsorship deals, appearance fees and licensing income.

In April, Barcelona topped the Forbes list for the 20 most valuable football clubs at £3.46bn ($4.76bn), narrowly ahead of their La Liga rivals Real Madrid’s valuation of £3.45bn ($4.75bn).

By Skysports

President of the Pro Fighting Factory, Mr. Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai on Thursday May 13, 2021 led his team to train with some selected boxers from various gyms in Accra.

After the hectic and exciting workout all the boxers including juveniles, amateurs, professionals and trainers totaling about 50 were offered a pack of Papaye fried rice each plus cash ranging from 20ghc to 100ghc.

He also distributed boxing equipment like gloves, mouth guards, pants and tee shirts etc to the boxers and coaches who showed appreciation.

Lawrence Nmai, who is based in Switzerland said the gesture was to encourage the boxers and show love to his people on the Eid al-Fitr day which is a day of giving by Muslims.

Coach Isaac Doku urged the recipients to keep and maintain their quality gifts well.

Present at the programme held at the Accra Sports Stadium were Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine, Vice President of the Pro Fighting Factory, Mr. Mike Amanor, Administrative Manager, Mr. Yemoh, Technical Adviser and Nii Adote Dzata 1, former President of the Ghana Kickboxing Association and Mr, George Lamptey, President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation.

Also present were coaches Eben Adjei aka ‘Killer’. Lartekwei Lartey, Quaye aka ‘Akpenator’ and others.

By Elizabeth Alhassan

The African Championships (seniors), which were to take place in Algiers from June 22 to 26, have been postponed to a later date, due to the health situation linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and following "the recommendations "of the scientific committee for monitoring the evolution of the pandemic, the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJS) announced on Wednesday - from Algérie Presse Service

What now for athletes who are trying to achieve the Olympic standard or get World Ranking points to secure Olympic qualification?

Source – Athletics Hour

Internationally acclaimed WBC Muay Thai representative in Ghana, Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai on Thursday morning trained with some classic boxers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Nmai who is preparing for the WBA African Muay Thai Super Middleweight championship advised the boxers to be humble, focused and disciplined.

He told them not to rush in life but the right time will come for them to succeed if they are serious and determined.

Motivator Lawrence Nmai who is fighting against Tanzanian Emmanuel Shijia said he is happy to put Ghana on the Muay Thai map and hoped that young fighters will join the Ghana Muay Thai through the Pro Fighting Factory.

He promised to put up a good show to entice sports fans to love Muay Thai which is about to be accepted as an Olympic Sport.

He hoped to collaborate with the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and other relevant bodies to promote Muay Thai as a sport in Ghana.

Over 40 boxers and officials from various gyms in Accra reported for the training which was witnessed by former President of the Ghana Kickboxing Association, Nii Adote Dzata 1 who is Mankralo of Sempe, Mr. George Lamptey, President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) and Yours Truly, Vice President of the Pro Fighting Factory.

Also present at the training was Swiss female champion Natacha De Almeida who takes on Najma Isike from Tanzania.

The bouts dubbed ‘The Titans Return’ which are a mix of Boxing and Muay Thai comes up at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Saturday, May 15, 2021 under Don’s Promotions.

A Press Conference and Weigh in to herald the promotion comes up at Jubilee Pool House on the Asafoatse Nettey Road, opposite the Saint Mary's Anglican Church, Accra on Friday, May 14, 2021 at 12:00 noon.

The lineup features four boxing fights and one Muay Thai championship with Obodai Sai vs Mrisho Adam as main event of the night.

In the undercard, Ekow Wilson will meet experienced Raymond Commey in a Super Bantamweight Contest over 10 rounds.

Najma Isike from Tanzania will challenge Natacha De Almeida of Switzerland in a lightweight Female Championship over six rounds.

John Amuzu will clash with Albert Commey in a Bantamweight Contest, before Lawrence Nyanyo Nmai meets Emmanuel Shijia for the WBC Muay Thai Middleweight Championship.

Rates for the event is 50ghc for regular and 150ghc for VIP ring side.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Enterprising female boxer, Faruiza Osman, an affiliate to the Fit Square Gym has advised young girls to make good use of their time and energies.

Speaking to Yours Truly at the first All Females Boxing Show dubbed ‘Girls Box’ at James Town in Accra, she said boxing has changed her life, and she is still pursuing the dream of joining the Ghana Armed Forces.

According to the Black Bomber (member of the National Boxing Team) who represented Ghana at the African Olympic Qualifiers in Senegal in February 2020, her life has really changed since donning the colours of her country and competing on the big stage.

She advised the youthful beautiful girls to find a rewarding vocation or get involved in sports.

“Sports had made me travel to see other places and made me very disciplines. I hope and pray to stay in boxing and do more for Ghana, I will advise my colleague young ladies to get something positive to do and not to get pregnant as a teenager” she said.

The welterweight boxer was one of the star participants at the event which was organized by the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing Association.

She hinted her feverish preparations towards the 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2023 African Games and 2024 Olympic Games.

She also hailed her colleagues Sarah Apau, Rahman Ablorh, Manteaw Trudy, Priscilla Toffah, Mariam Mohammed, Sarah Botchway and Ramatu Quaye, all female boxers who want to make history.

15 young ladies including juveniles took part in the programme on April 24, 2021 which was coordinated by Miss Sarah Lotus Asare, daughter of Ghana’s most decorated boxing coach, Dr. Ofori Asare who also acted as Master of Ceremonies (MC).

The event was graced by the presidents of Women In Sports (WISA), Women Sports Association of Ghana (WOSPAG), Women In Sports Network (WISNET)  the Chairperson of the Women's Commission of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and a representative of the Greater Accra Regional Sports Directorate.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s Jessie Manyo Plange has declared his readiness to battle Nicaragua’s Melvin Lopez.

Plange (21-1, 17 KOs) is set to face Nicaragua’s Melvin Lopez (25-1, 16 KOS) Saturday, June 19, in a WBA bantamweight title eliminator in Las Vegas.

High on the bill is undefeated WBA and IBF World Bantamweight Champion Naoya Inoue defending his belts against Michael Dasmarinas of Philippines.

Promoter, Greg Cohen, and Top Rank Promotions are in the final stages of negotiations with both fighters looking forward to putting pen to paper.

“I have been training for a long time, hoping for the right time to come and I believe this is the time for me to land a title shot,” Plange told the media.

“This will be the first time for me to come close to fighting for the world title and I can’t wait to take it. I must first go past Lopez to get the chance and I am ready for that.”

A win over Lopez guarantees Plange, a nine-year professional, a world title shot. He has been busy preparing for his next bout since last December, when he won a unanimous decision over Alexis Boureima Kabore in Nigeria.

The Ghana Swimming Association has won the bid to host the Senior and Junior African Swimming Championships this year.

Ghana won the bid after an impressive display of hosting right of the 7th Cana Zone 2 Senior Swimming and Open Water Championship held last year February 2020 at the Bukom International Pool.

The West African nation will be hosting 54 countries from both seniors and juniors swimming and open water championships from the 11th – 17th October 2021.

The likes of Chad Le Clos from South Africa, Abeiku Gyekye Jackson from Ghana ,Collins Obi from Nigeria,Stephen Amiable from Senegal will be here to thrill Ghanaian fans to wonderful display of African swimming.

Watch out for more exciting stories from the Ghana Swimming Association inconnection to this wonderful achievement.

Story by Cecil Stanley Nii Teiko Tagoe