Powers-Banku Set For Rematch In Kumasi

The Manager of Braimah �Bukom Banku� Kamoko, Abraham Kotey Neequaye, has confirmed to the Graphic Sports that his boxer has accepted a request for a rematch from Michael �Ayittey Powers� Okine, but on one condition that the bout would be fought in Kumasi where Kamoko has a huge fan base.

Speaking at the sidelines of last Saturday�s SWAG Awards at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Mr Neequaye was optimistic that such a bout would take place in the Garden City, but insisted that his boxer, who defeated Powers in a non-title fight last Thursday, would not accept the same purse as Powers in such a rematch. He asserted that Bukom Banku�s purse must definitely be more since he would be going into the rematch from a position of strength as winner of their last clash.

He dismissed assertions that Bukom Banku�s weight advantage enabled him to win the catch-weight contest by unanimous points decision, saying all parties agreed that since it was a non-title fight, the weight gain would not be an issue and would not affect the verdict.

After his loss, Powers attributed Kamoko�s victory to his weight advantage as he scaled in at five kilogrammes above the 90.7kg limit for a cruiserweight bout.

�I lost the fight because Bukom Banku�s weight is heavier than mine,� Powers said after the bout.

However, Ghana Boxing Authority president, Peter Zwennes, dismissed Powers� claim, saying he had witnessed more catch-weight fights in which the lighter boxer had won.

�I don�t believe in what he said because I have watched more catch-weight fights in which the light boxer won,� stressed Mr Zwennes, who said Kamoko won the bout fighting according to the limitations of Powers.

Meanwhile, less than 48 hours after his grueling 12-rounder with Powers, Kamoko was back in the gym preparing for his first major international against Russian Rakhim Chakhkiyev (18-1, 14 KOs) for the WBC silver light- cruiserweight title. The fight is slated for May 30 at the Luzhniki Arena in Moscow, Russia.

Chakhkiyev won a heavyweight gold medal at the 2008 Olympics Games in Beijing, China.

Source: Daily Graphic/Ghana