Chaotic scenes marred an otherwise historic evening for Ghana when uniformed military men squared off with a supposedly non-conforming fan in a one-sided brawl moments after George Ashie clinched Ghana's eighth world boxing title in Accra last Saturday.
A night of abundant joy had characterised Ashie's 10th round TKO victory over George Mchedlishvili of Georgia in the Universal Boxing Council's super featherweight title fight at the Ohene Djan Stadium, which sparked unrestrained celebrations from ringside to popular stand, as fans savoured the crowning of Ghana's latest world champion - and the only one at the moment - in Accra.
But moments after special aide at the Presidency, Nii Lante Vanderpuije, departed after assisting UBC's Vice-President, Joseph Groyr of Hungary, and Ghana Boxing Authority Chairman, Samir Captan, to decorate Ashie with the belt, bizarre scenes replaced the joyous moments.
A seemingly innocuous confrontation between the fan and two military men soon blew out of control when a host of uniformed soldiers joined the fray, pounced on the fan until he was subdued by their numbers and strength.
But that moment of triumph for the security men happened under unsavoury conditions. As their moved around, in their numbers, in a steady pursuit of the fan shook other fans who panicked and jumped on the plastic chairs to safety grounds.
When calm returned some 12 minutes after the subdued fan had been revived from what looked like a collapse, he was taken away by the security men.
Indeed, not even the pleadings of Samir Captan or the attempted intervention of other members of the GBA or even the presence of dignitaries, including the visiting Groyr of the UBC, could avert the nasty scenes as tempers flared beyond control.
It was the lowest point of a night of title fights that had witnessed Ashie's dominance over Mchedlishvili in nine rounds which forced the Georgian to quit after the 10th round bell.
Until that decision, Mchedlishvili had remained in contention only because of his strong defence, rather than a serious threat to his Ghanaian opponent, but when he stuttered to his corner after the eighth round, it was obvious from his panting that he was gradually running out of steam.
The end finally came when he walked to his comer after the ninth round with cool steps and rested on the ropes never to return again.
In other bouts, Ghana's Lartekwei Hammond also won the WBA Pan African super middleweight title when Benin's Anicet Amoussou failed to continue the bout in the fourth round, while Albert Mensah retained his WBA Pan African super lightweight title with a unanimous points decision over compatriot Isaac Quartey.
Another Ghanaian, Patrick Okine also clinched the vacant WBA Pan African featherweight title with a split decision over Benin's Chisbin Vodouhnessi.
Source: Graphic Sports
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