Boxing
Gyatabi knocks out Japhet in round 11
World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa super bantamweight champion, Wasiru Gyatabi Mohammed, has become the new WBO Global champion after knocking out Tanzanian Loren Japhet at the D.G.
Hathiramani Sports Hall of the Accra Stadium last Saturday night.
However, it was not that easy for the knockout specialist, who dug deep in the rather gruelling duel to defeat his tough opponent.
The Ghanaian dropped his opponent twice in the eleventh round before South African referee Leslie Patrick ended the fight after Loren struggled to respond to his instructions.
The title puts the Nima-based pugilist who is currently ranked 13th by WBO in pole position for a world title this year.
The feat extends the undefeated record of Gyatabi, 22, to 11 fights professionally with no loss or a draw, and moments after been decorated with the title, Gyatabi cried for the world title and noted that he was ready.
“My time is now, I am now ready for the world title and ready to face anyone in the world in my division,” he stated.
Japhet, 22, by this defeat, has recorded the third defeat in his career of 14 professional bouts, including two draws and nine victories.
In the fifth round, the Ghanaian was pummelled when Japhet pinned him in his corner but managed to wrestle himself out.
Having recovered, Wasiru became dominant from the sixth round, and continued his rampage and in the early part of the 11th round, downed Loren with a brutal combinations; after a brief intercession by referee Patrick, the Ghanaian unleashed a left hook to the jaw of Japhet who was on the ropes to knock him down again.
After a brief count, Japhet, who appeared still dazed, wobbled on his feet before referee Patrick signalled by hand to end proceeding to the wild jubilation of fans.
Source: Graphic.com.gh