<<Print>>

Ghana�s Joseph Agbeko recorded a unanimous decision over Luis Malendez of Columbia in the early hours of Saturday, to win the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Bantamweight title at the Accra Sports Stadium. Agbeko scored 117-111, 119-111, 117-113 on the cards of Lanchen Oungham of Netherlands, Deon Dwarte of South Africa and Attaa Eddie Pappoe of Ghana, to overcome the durable Columbian boxer in a fight under the auspices of Fresh King Entertainments. Fighting before a large crowd made up of football stars, musicians, and movie stars with the Minister of Youth and Sports, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah as the special guest of honour, Agbeko had tough time dealing with the Columbian right from round one as they traded punches in the first three rounds making the contest a close one by the third round. But in the fourth round, Agbeko, adopted a more cautious approach, with occasional exchanges to end the round but succeeded in sending his opponent into the ropes in the fifth round with a powerful right hook. Melendez however recovered within split seconds and traded punches with Agbeko afterwards to end the round. Round six was much of Agbeko as he dominated with perfect hooks, several body punches, though there was defence from the Columbian and this continued in the seventh and eighth rounds, but the much anticipated killer punch never came leaving many fans disappointed. Melendez returned in the ninth round, with a renewed energy in the early minutes, but seemed to have run out of out as fatigue showed in his output after he wobbled in the round, but again Agbeko was unable to drop the "no-return" punch that could send him to the canvas. Though the Columbian southpaw gave the Ghanaian enough competition, Agbeko remained in the lead with more accurate punches as the fight traveled into the 10th round, but the 11th round saw the Columbian visiting the canvas. However referee Oungham ruled it out and counted it as a slip, but Agbeko continue to demonstrate enough dominance and was clearly on his way to winning another world title. However, the 12th round gave the Ghanaian the opportunity to record the unanimous decision, as he showed a lot of strength and dominance. Agbeko, pummeled his opponent throughout the round with little defence from him. He ensured a perfect delivery of punches on the head, face and combined a number of body punches to secure the much needed victory over the Columbian. In a crowded ring which saw the presence of officials of IBO, the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), Ministry of Youth and Sports, Manchester City star Emmanuel Adebayor, Former Lightweight Champion Joshua Clottey, Dance Hall star Samini, among others, the Ghanaian was decorated with his new belt. Agbeko has now moved his fight record to 33 fights, with 29 wins, and four losses, whilst Melendez now stands at 35 fights, 25 wins, 8 loses and one draw.