ESPN’s first boxing broadcast of 2021 drew respectable viewership Saturday night, particularly since its main event was postponed two days in advance.

Nielsen Media Research revealed Wednesday that the network’s three-bout broadcast averaged 584,000 viewers. A peak audience of 673,000 tuned in during the opening bout of the two-hour, 27-minute telecast, undefeated heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson’s sixth-round knockout of Kingsley Ibeh.

An average audience of 660,500 watched Anderson (8-0, 8 KOs), of Toledo, Ohio, beat Ibeh (5-2-1, 4 KOs) in their scheduled six-round bout at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Anderson knocked out a battered, bloodied Ibeh with a left hook that left the native Nigerian flat on his back with 45 seconds to go in the final round.

The main event, Richard Commey’s sixth-round knockout of Jackson Marinez, attracted an average audience of 562,500. There was some overlap between Commey-Marinez and DAZN’s stream of its main event – Joseph Diaz Jr.’s 12-round majority draw with Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in an IBF junior lightweight title fight.

Nielsen doesn’t track viewership for streaming services. DAZN doesn’t announce those figures, either.

In ESPN’s main event, Ghana’s Commey dropped the Dominican Republic’s Marinez twice in the sixth round. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped their scheduled 10-round lightweight bout as soon as Commey’s crushing right hand floored Marinez a second time with 29 seconds remaining in the sixth round.

Commey (30-3, 27 KOs) fought for the first time since Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) knocked him out in the second round of their December 2019 fight for Commey’s IBF 135-pound crown at Madison Square Garden in New York. Marinez (19-2, 7 KOs) lost by knockout for the first time.

The Commey-Marinez match was elevated to the main event of promoter Top Rank’s card Thursday because Maxim Vlasov tested positive for COVID-19.

Russia’s Vlasov (45-3, 26 KOs) was scheduled to battle Joe Smith Jr. (26-3, 21 KOs), of Mastic, New York, for the vacant WBO light heavyweight title. Their fight has been postponed indefinitely.

ESPN’s show Saturday night also included Adam Lopez’s majority-decision win against Jason Sanchez in a 10-round featherweight fight.

Lopez (15-2, 6 KOs), of Glendale, California, beat Albuquerque’s Sanchez (15-3, 8 KOs) on two scorecards (97-93, 96-94, 95-95). An average of 552,000 viewers watched the Lopez-Sanchez fight.

By Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.

Source – Boxing Scene

South African football club Black Leopards have announced Kosta Papic as their new technical head.

The news of his appointment comes days after he resigned from Ghana-based Accra Hearts of Oak.

The club made the announcement via a tweet.

source - scoopyvibes.com

Accra Great Olympics have appointed Yaw Preko as the new assistant coach of the club.

Annor Walker, who is the head coach of the club has been working without an assistant after his after left the club due to illness.

Preko was named as the interim coach of the club after Annor Walker took a month sick leave.

He played 5 matches, winning 3, with the other 2 ending in a loss and draw for the Dade boys.

Preko worked alongside club legend Godwin Attram to oversee the affairs of the first team in January when Walker took a sick leave.

footballmadeinghana

Baby Jet Promotions, a boxing promotional outfits in Ghana, has officially terminated the contract of Ghanaian Lightweight boxer, Emmanuel “Gameboy” Tagoe.

The 32-year old former International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Lightweight Champion, in 2018 signed a deal with the boxing syndicate which was expected to end in November this year.

A letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of Baby Jet Promotion, Mr. Asamoah Gyan said, “the above named promotional and managerial outfit acting per its president Asamoah Gyan wishes to inform you, the Ghana Boxing Authority, and all stakeholders that the existing promoter-manager/boxer between the pair is terminated with immediate effect.

“The agreement which was supposed to run from October 2018 to November 21, has been terminated and we wish to inform you that we have released you to continue your professional boxing career anywhere of your choice.

“This takes effect immediately. Whilst thanking you for your working relationship with us during the past times, we also wish you the best of luck in your future endeavours and pray that your next promoter manager will have the kind of care and love we had for you,” the letter stated.

Tagoe whose last outing against Mason Menard last August is on a quest of getting a world title shot with US-based promoter Lou DiBella currently managing his affairs.

GNA

THE Union of Ghanaian Associations in Germany (UGAG) has donated a solar powered sanitizer plant to the Orthopaedic Training Centre (OTC) at Nsawam-Adoagyire on Tuesday (February 16, 2021) to aid the combat of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The item which has been distributed at other facilities nationwide including Techiman Holy Hospital, Kumasi Suntreso Clinic, Sekondi Prisons, and Wa Prison was part of the union’s annual donation programme to various institutions and facilities in Ghana over the years.

The representative of UGAG, Mr Patrick Richard Okine said the group saw the need to support some vulnerable facilities to fight against COVID-19 which has been very devastating following the second wave.

“The group has in view other plans for some of these facilities anytime the need arise. We hope that this token would meet its intended need in the fight against the deadly COVID-19 the world is battling. It is very encouraging that our fellows in Germany have thought about the welfare of some of our vulnerable relatives at the Orthopaedic Training Centre in this difficult time,” he said.

He added that the group would be working around the clock to as well provide assistance to other institutions across the country when the need arise.

Mr Okine urged the staff of the OTC to continue in the professional service delivery they have been noted for over the years by Ghanaians home and abroad.

“I want to urge the staff of this facility to continue to offer us the best professionalism in their service delivery. Their services have been recognised home and abroad and it is commendable. We hope to continue enjoying the best possible service from them; especially in caring for our colleagues who need their assistance,” he said.

The Director of OTC, Sister Elizabeth Newman commended the union for their gesture and pledged that the item would be put to a judicious use to meet its need.

“We are very grateful for the automatic solar powered sanitizer plant. It is fantastic to get this item from UGAG who have been one of donors over the years; it is really going to help the users of this facility especially. The fight against COVID-19 is a collective responsibility and we hope this item helps us fight do our maximum to curb the spread of the virus to this facility,” she said.

Source - Gabby Amoako

Ghana’s Sena Agbeko lost though a unanimous decision to Vladimir Shishkin after the Russian battled it out with a deep cut in a 10 round light heavyweight contest at the Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, USA.

The scores from the three judges were - Don Ackerman 100-90,  Glenn Feldman 100-90 and John McKaie 98- 92 all for Vladimir Shishkin

Alhough the Ghana super middleweight lost, he put up a good fight.

Now for the records Sena Agbeko is 23-2, 18KOs while Vladimir Shishkin  12-0, 7 KOs.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana U-20 coach, Karim Zito has expressed his side’s readiness to lift the flag of the country high at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana has been paired in Group C against Tanzania, Gambia, and Morocco but according to Zito, they are determined to make an impact at the tournament.

The Black Satellites will open their AFCON account against Tanzania at 4 pm today.

Speaking ahead of the game, the coach said, “We are coming into this competition as champions of WAFU B so we are coming into this competition with that mentality," Coach Karim Zito said in his pre-match interview.

“Winning the first game is really important to us in order to boost our confidence in the competition."

“We know all Ghanaians are counting on us to perform well at this tournament and we are determined to raise high the flag of Ghana,” he concluded.

WKMO Certifies Abraham Nii Odoi Kpobi

The World Karate Martial Arts Orgnisation (WKMO) has officially recognised and certified Sensi Abraham Nii Odoi Kpobi, President of United Federation of Martial Arts (UFMA), Ghana as a member.

The certificate of recognition was signed by Secretary Sean Hanke (7^th Dan)  and President Paolo Bulaffio (9^th Dan) on 5^th February, 2021.

Nii Odoi Kpobi expressed his joy and pledged to support in the development and promotion of the martial arts in Ghana and Africa.

He called on parents to allow their children to learn martial arts for self defence and self discipline.

He encouraged basic and junior high schools Physical Education Teachers to add Martial Arts to the sports disciplines.

He said the UFMA is involved in all Martial Arts, and they believe in unity though they practice different arts, movements and ideas.

He also assured that the World Karate Martial Arts Organization (WKMO) – Ghana will work hard to promote Martial Arts.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The 2023 Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the Africa Games (AG), to be hosted by Ghana, on Monday, paid a courtesy call on the Ghana News Agency (GNA), as part of efforts at building a strong working relationship with the media ahead of the games.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, in December last year, inaugurated a nine-member LOC to commence preparations towards the hosting of the 13th African Games in 2023.

The team, led by Dr, Kwaku Ofosu-Asare, a Lecturer at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, a Sports Enthusiast and onetime Administrator and Human Resource Manager of Ashanti Goldfield Company Limited, said the visit was to establish a “two-way traffic relationship with the Ghana News Agency to achieve the national agenda”.

“We are here to build a relationship so that you would have a fair knowledge of what is expected from the LOC for the Games. Our doors would be opened to call for clarity when needed.

"We want to achieve this national project with you and also to fraternise and have a two-way traffic relationship to ensure that we achieve this national project together.

“You have come far in Journalism and we know you have the pedigree to help us achieve this national project,” the Team Lead said.

"With our mandate to organise the Games, we can’t achieve it without engaging the media. GNA is the trailblazer when we talk about Journalism in the country,” he said.

Dr. Ofosu-Asare said the Committee’s task was to ensure that Ghana improved on the medal position on the table and use the games to promote African unity, cultural diversity and sustainable development.

He stated that the facility to be used for the Games would be transformed into a University for Sports for Development with focus on promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

He, therefore, called for the support of all stakeholders to make the unique endeavour successful.

Mr. William Dodzi Ezah, Sports Editor, GNA, said the Sports Desk was ready to contribute to the hosting and organisation of a successful event.

Mrs Beatrice Asamani Savage, Director of Editorial, GNA, pledging the GNA’s commitment to the cause, said: “We are passionate about everything that is in Ghana's interest."

"The objectives of your Committee are in line with our mandate to churn out quality, important and relevant stories for sound decision making, sustainable national development and national cohesion - and so we are so ready and pleased to partner with you for this national assignment.”

The Ghana News Agency, as a wholesaler of news, she said, operated with the highest standards and ethics of Journalism.

"Our stories must be credible, objective and balanced to be accepted by all our subscribers, irrespective of their orientation and interests so we strive to achieve the best at all times."

She briefed them about the founding of the Agency by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, with staff loaned from the Reuters News Agency, in 1957.

The objective was to have a news agency in Africa, with correspondents in all the major cities of the world and also across the nation, which would be the reference point of truthful and unbiased news about Africa.

Though the lack of investments in technology and logistics to modernise the GNA’s operations, over the years, had affected its speed and spread, she said, the journalists were still committed to achieving their mandate.

The Africa Games is a quadrennial competition with the last held in Morocco, where Ghana placed 15th on the medal table.

This is the first time Ghana is hosting the games.

Members of the LOC include Dr. Emmanuel Owusu-Ansah, the Technical Advisor on Sports at the Youth and Sports Ministry, also the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the LOC, Mr. Reks Brobby, a former Olympian and an accomplished sports events organizer, the Committee's Deputy COO.

The rest are: Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Dwumfour Williams, a Clinical Psychologist and a University Lecturer and a Board Member of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Mr. Dan Kwaku Yeboah, a Sports Journalist, and Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, the President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

GNA

THE Ghana Weightlifting Federation (GWF) will hold a virtual congress tomorrow, Wednesday February 17, 2021 as they elect officers to run the federation for the next four years.

As of close of nominations last week, six candidates have expressed their desire to run for various executive positions that include the presidency - which is not being contested by the incumbent - Mr Ben Nunoo Mensah.

Instead, CEO of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA), Mr Jerry Ahmed Shaib, has filed his nomination to lead the GWF.

Messrs Isaac Tetteh is vying for the position of vice president; Ben Addy (Secretary General), Ken O. Adade (Deputy General Secretary), Gideon Sackey (Treasurer) and Mrs Edith Aggrey (Deputy Treasurer).

Delegates for the congress would be drawn from the weightlifting fraternity and the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).

In view of COVID-19 restrictions, tomorrow's virtual congress is expected to focus largely on the elections as reading of minutes and presentation of accounts and other matters, will be held at the next congress.

From Ghanaian Times Reporter