29 years old Robert Quaye aka ‘Stopper’ suffered his first career defeat in the hands of George ‘Red Tiger’ Ashie 38 on Sunday, March 6, 2022, when he was pummeled at his blue corner and dropped twice on the canvas for Referee Roger Barnor to count him out in the 8th of their scheduled 12 rounder championship for the IBF Continental Africa Junior Welterweight title.
The bragging publicist and holder of the UBO Inter-Continental title who had predicted to end the bout in round 7 was dragged from the ring and sneaked home to avoid teasing from the fans.
Ashie, a former African Boxing Union champion, the fans favourite was decorated with the IBF title belt by HE Mahamadou Bawumia, the vice president of the Republic of Ghana, with the support of the Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif.
Indeed the Bukom Boxing Arena was full to its capacity, and yet still boxing fans were trooping in to watch the much-anticipated show downstaged by Box Office Sports Promotions to celebrate the 65th Independence anniversary of the nation.
Quaye now (20-19-1) entered the ring first sitting on a white house and spotted a Roman soldier attire, while Ashie now (33-28-5) was carried by his coach, Wadada.
When the referee ordered proceedings to start, it was Ashie who attracted the fans support and Favour, however, he could not connect most of his powerful punches, but the few that hit Quaye changed his face, and as the seventh round passed he knew he was in trouble.
Many observers of the fight felt he felt disgraced, so the best thing he could do was to abandon the bout and sneak home, the first time a boxer has sneaked out of the ring on the brink of an imminent ignominious loss.
Ashie was awarded 1,000 dollars for winning the title, and he will ride a Boxer motorbike which was presented by Somoco Ghana Ltd, sponsors of the fight dubbed ‘Rumble To Freedom’.
On the night that all the boxers representing the red corner won, super lightweight Faisal Abubakar was too strong for Emmanuel Aryee. Daniel Gosh won against Johnathan Pappoe, while Moses Adjei Selvi forced Alfred Quaye to give up in round 2. Henry Manly also won against old Ben Ankrah the Congo soldier and Enoch Tettey Tetteh exhibited real skills to win over Edward Kambassi.
Southpaw Mike Abban was too much for Isaac Quaye in their Flyweight contest.
Ghana’s veteran female boxer, Yarkor Chavez was defeated by Zambian Lolita Muzeya in round one.
Nigerian Oto Joseph also beat Ghana’s Tackie Annan to win the ABU Lightweight title.
Mr Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, President of the Promoters Association of Ghana who is CEO of Box Office needs to be commended for the organization of the bill with adequate security who ensured that everything went on as scheduled.
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) President, Mr Abraham Neequaye and his executives must also be hailed for bringing a new life into boxing as the whole weekend was full of boxing action and the fans really enjoyed themselves.
Source: Modern Ghana