UPDATE at 7:15pm
Citi Sports can confirm that May 2 is the new date for the highly-anticipated bout between Braimah “Bukom Banku” Kamoko and Ayittey Powers.
Earlier on Thursday, Powers announced he was pulling out of the bout which had been slated for 18th April at the Accra Sports Stadium.
But sources close to the organisers, Box Office Promotions, say after lengthy discussions throughout Thursday, an agreement on a May 2 date was struck between the fighters, organizers and SuperSport, the broadcasters.
Citi Sports can also confirm that SuperSport is willing to telecast the bout on the new date and it is expected to release a press statement sometime next week to announce the new date and broadcast plans for the bout.
The Ghana Boxing Authority had stated that Powers was yet to formally inform them of his decision and in their books, the April 18 bout would go ahead as planned.
What remains under discussion is the issue of tickets which have already been purchased by boxing fans. It is believed an announcement on that will be made in due course.
Lots of boxing fans had expressed disappointment at Powers’ decision to opt out of the bout but it seems the showdown dubbed “The Judgement Night” would still take place between the rivals who had had exchanged very strong words in the build up to the eventual signing of the contract in March 2014.
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Earlier, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, who represents the promotions syndicate and expressed surprise when Citi Sports spoke to him.
“I only got calls from friends about what Powers said but trust me that we are not going to take it lightly. This is a fight that is going to be big for Ghana boxing,” he said.
“People think the windfall will be for my company. No. This is for the whole Ghanaian boxing industry.”
“We have spent a lot of money and resources into this fight. We have brought rings from outside the country. The amounts that have gone into commercials run into the millions.”
“Contracts have been signed. We are just waiting to hear from Powers officially.”
Powers said after visiting controversial Nigerian preacher T.B Joshua at the weekend, spiritual direction has led him to call of the fight to a later date.
Disappointed patrons
Big fights such as these usually demand stringent clauses to be signed, and Alex Ntiamoah indicated that this was the case for this bout as well.
“We have clauses in the contract, yes. But if he wants to leave the fight, we will take it up with the Ghana Boxing Authority. They usually decide these things.”
“I know people will be disappointed if the fight doesn’t happen, in which case we simply have to give monies back to those who have paid for the tickets.”
Citi Sports spoke to many people on the streets who were simply gutted at the news of Powers withdrawal. It is clear that the expectations behind this fight would have lifted the country’s boxing to a slightly higher level of appreciation.
Click to listen to Ayittey Powers and Alex Ntiamoah of Box Office Promotions.
Social Media explosion
Soon after Powers (won 18, lost 23) made his declaration, a hashtags related to him were trending on Twitter: #PowersMustFight
Social media reactions began with disbelief, then shock and then anger and typical Ghanaian sarcasm.
The two boxers have managed to hype their April 18 bout so much that tickets have become scarce.
I weak give Ayittey Powers oh! Nothing to look forward to in April now then…..
— Key E. O (@MrMikeyGH) March 27, 2014
#AyitteyPowers if you want to expel de demons , beta to do de fight and let banku beat dem out.
— kojo john. lamptey (@lamprex) March 27, 2014
Hahaha #PowersMustFight pic.twitter.com/4meOtAZ5vF
— Kuukuwa Manful (@Kuukuwa_) March 27, 2014
Ayittey Powers blaming his fear on God. Smh
— ..(^_^)..No.9 (@Editash) March 27, 2014
Ayittey Powers swears he’s the godfather of all pull out games. Aboa beans! He die seff ein corpse go fight.
— Abanoma Abeiku (@CannyMcCoy) March 27, 2014
When I saw Ayittey Powers’ haircut, I instantly knew it wasn’t beyond him to show such cowardice.
— Lexis (@niilexis) March 27, 2014
Typical unprofessional attitude of some of our boxers.. Ayittey Powers wants to dampen the hype of this bout by pulling out. Tweeaaaa
— Daniel Oduro (@Daniel_Oduro) March 27, 2014
@garyalsmith I knew Powers was only looking for public attention. This is jxt one of Wale’s trip to claim fame.
— LilBoss *SAMMY* (@rasmelion) March 27, 2014
This AyitteyPowers guy is an a**hole. After all the hype? He will fight!!!
— Isaac Richardson (@LeGXus) March 27, 2014
How can Ayittey Powers get me all excited and then pull out. just like that?! — Mrs Balcázar (@GirlMufc) March 27, 2014
And we sit here n complain Corporate Ghana has negelected other sports disciplines. Who wants to be affiliated with stupidity? Tweaaaa — Umar-Farouk Atipaga (@FAROUKATIPAGA) March 27, 2014
@garyalsmith extremely disappointed in Powers!! bcos of TB Joshou thoughs, #BLACKMENTALITY
— Salman Breezy Bunjah (@SbreezyBunjah) March 27, 2014
na wa 4 yeye boxers oo”@garyalsmith: Ayittey Powers April 18 fight with Bukom Banku because “the Holy Spirit says the date is not good.””
— Chiki (@barristachiki) March 27, 2014
@Bellynder @garyalsmith did e same holy spirit gv an alternative 4 e fyt to come on???
— Frank Asamoah (@oh_kwame) March 27, 2014
HOW TO GET FAMOUS TIP: See a prophet and make a weird stupid and illogical pronouncement. Bang; you are popular and trending #AyitteyPowers
— roland walker (@rowalkerghana) March 27, 2014
@garyalsmith @Citi973 Obviously he can’t pull out, i believe it part of the Hype. Weather he likes it or yes, ego fight papa.
— Peter Antwi (@an_peter) March 27, 2014
@garyalsmith This dude ws neva ready for a fight. All e show ws a publicity stunt 2 herald his so calld delivrance frm that con man
— AS Amin (@mon_amin) March 27, 2014
@garyalsmith @KwameScientist ah ah ah nkwasias3m aaa kwa.. mmmmmchteeew kraaa — Fafa Fianu Fianu (@faflin) March 27, 2014
Does ayitey powers seeking deliverance from TB Joshua mean he is going to win de fight? @eastsportsman @garyalsmith @nathanquao2211 @Citi973 — Kojo Smith (@kojoghanabia) March 27, 2014
Wait? Is Ayittey Powers asking for a different date? That shouldn’t be much a of problem.
— Jerome (@readJerome) March 27, 2014
More to follow. Send your reactions to our Facebook page (click here) or our Twitter (click here) or Whatsapp us: +233 (0) 549 986 996.
You can also click here for our story and video on Ayittey Powers’ visit to popular Nigerian pastor, T. B Joshua where he got the spiritual direction to cancel the bout for now.
By: Gary Al-Smith/Citifmonline.com/Ghana