GRi Sports 15-02-99

Accra (Greater Accra),15 Feb.

Ghana's Ike 'Bazooka' Quartey, former World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight champion, Saturday night

failed to snatch the World Boxing Council version of the title from the champion Oscar de La Hoya.

Quartey lost on a split-point decision to the Mexican-American at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas,

Nevada.

The three judges scored the fight 115-114 for Quartey and 116-113 and 11 6-112 for De La Hoya, according to a

Ghana Television live telecast monitored in Accra.

It is De La Hoya's seventh defense of his title and improves his personal record to 30-0-0 while Quartey drops to

35-1-1.

 Both boxers showed much respect for each other in the earlier rounds with Ike maintaining a constant jab that

often confused his opponent who, prior to the fight, had described Ike as a straight fighter and thought he was

going to start aggressively.

De La Hoya, 26, who kept his cool with occasional openings, literally set The Thomas and Mack Centre exploding

with joy in the sixth round when he sent Quartey to the canvas.

But the challenger countered a minute later with a similar left hook which saw the champion drop on his pants.

Quartey, 29, who never showed any sign that he was ring rusty, having been absent for 16 months, however, visited

the canvas again in the early seconds of the 12th round as a result of De La Hoya's left and right combinations.

In the dying minutes of the round, De La Hoya launched a desperate and incessant onslaught on helpless Quartey,

dazing him momentarily with a flurry of right and left combinations.

"I underestimated his boxing ability but I must confess that he is a good boxer," said De La Hoya after the fight.

Asked whether he would go in for a re-match, the champion quickly replied : "I don't think so".

On his part, Ike said he knew that there was no way he could win the fight in Las Vegas if it travelled the full

distance.

 " I brought my own judge (referring to K.O.) but it did not work to perfection but I am glad my

kids are here and Ghanaians watched the fight; the decision was not fair, '' declared Quartey.

De la Hoya earned nine million dollars twice more than Quartey.

Accra (Greater Accra), 15 Feb.

Some boxing fans surprisingly took to the streets in jubilation soon after Ike 'Bazooka' Quartey failed in his attempt

to wrestle the WBC welterweight crown from Oscar DeLa Hoya at the Thomas and Mack Centre, Las Vegas, in the

USA early this morning.

The bare-chested youthful fans carrying placards sang in a procession through the streets of Jamestown, the

General Post Office area and especially Bukom, from where Ike hails.

Some of the placards read : "Ike, you are no match for Oscar", "Bazooka is a loser", "Ike the Russian is still waiting

for you", and other derogatory remarks about the Ghanaian boxer.

A vigil over a bonfire lit in his honour at the Bukom Square had died out and the crowd had dispersed.

This unexpected support for Oscar, though strange, had existed even before the fight, resulting in boxing fans

betting hugely for and against Bazooka. Some of them cited as reasons for their animosity, Ike's indisciplined

behaviour,arrogance, quick temper and sheer disrespect for his childhood friends, and family members.

 "Ike is not a disciplined boxer and moreover since he became a champion, he treats us... even some of his own

family members with scorn, so there is no need to support him", said Amarkai, a Bukom resident.

Others who supported Ike stood dumbfounded as their white calico and Ghana flags meant for jubilation hung

loosely around their necks.

Others engaged in heated arguments over what the challenger should have done to win the fight which he lost by

a split decision.

 "Ike made a mess of himself during the final round and that cost him dear ly," a sympathiser said.

His fans, prior to the fight, had embarked on a rather cautious celebration due to the fact that he had not fought

since October, 1997.

 At Korle Wonkon, also in Accra Central, members of the Ike Quartey Fan Club stood in the streets disappointed.

 Some drinking bars were still blaring with music while some fans drank to console themselves.

Others, who had apparently embarked on a pre-fight drinking spree could not even watch the bout

as they slumped into their chairs dozed off long before the bout started.

 At the Kwame Nkrumah Circle and Adabraka, a few people discussed the outcome of the fight, while others

seemed unconcerned as they went about their early morning chores.

At Ridge, a top residential area, the streets were quiet. Ike, the former WBA champion, was stripped of the title for

failing to defend it against Andrei Pastriez of Russia last August.

Accra (Greater Accra), 15 Feb

Below are results of the ABC Golden Lager premier league matches played today.

Accra (El-Wak): Hearts....Two (2) Liberty....Nil (0)

Dawu: Dawu...One (1) RTU...One (1)

Sekondi: Hasaacas...Two (2) Olympics...Nil (0)

Nkawkaw: Okwawu....One (1) Bofoakwa....Nil (0)

Swedru: Dwarfs...One (1) Power..... Nil (0)

Obuasi: Goldfields...Five (0) Afienya....Nil (0)

Kumasi: Kotoko....Three (3) All Blacks....One (1)

Kumasi Asante Kotoko produced a terrific second-half outburst to beat Swedru All Blacks 3-1 in their premier

league match at the Kumasi Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Kotoko had to conjure their proverbial strong finishing power to outscore All Blacks, who gave them the scare as

they proved stubborn and defiant.

The twice Africa champions, found in the determined youthful all Blacks side a hard nut to crack but managed to

survive through elusive Prince Adu Poku, whose deft touches and incisive passes created the chances for the

"Porcupine warriors".

Kotoko launched a bristling attack after kick-off forcing three corner-kicks in the first, second and fifth minutes as All

Blacks struggled to find their rhythm but failed to capitalise on these.

Courageous All Blacks goalkeeper Patrick Mensah dashed forward to save a shot by Kotoko's diminutive centre-

Forward Essuman Dadzie in the 11th minute when the visitors were pressurised.

 Six minutes later All Blacks returned the attack, boring holes in the jittery Kotoko rear-guard but centre-forward

Evans Quaye, shot wide when goalkeeper Constant Mantey was teased out of the posts.

Kotoko could not break the deadlock in the 21st minute when a two-man Essuman Dadzie - Adu Poku move sliced

open the All Blacks defence but right-winger Ernest Boateng shot wide.

Rampaging Kotoko wasted a glorious chance when inside-right Mohammed Polo, the brightest spot in the Kotoko

attack shot off target after a brilliant dribbling session.

 All Blacks shot into the lead in the 43rd minute when a free-kick awarded them outside the "18", taken by left-

winger Willie Brown bounced off the chest of goalkeeper Mantey and dropped at the feet of inside-right Chief

Appiah for him to tap it into the net.

Kotoko started the second half in a fiery mood as substitute George Arthur inspired his side with quick runs from the

right wing.

In one of his daring raids, Arthur ran past the defence and chipped the ball, which was handled in desperation by a

Defender of All Blacks.

Substitute Emmanuel Ampiah, who elected to take the kick hit a low shot which was punched by the goalkeeper

but was not enough to prevent it from rolling into the net.

Goalkeeper Mensah over-stretched himself in the attempt to save the penalty and the match was held up for four

minutes to enable him to receive attention.

When the game re-started Kotoko, urged on by massive cheers from the packed crowd, laid siege on the goal-area

of All Blacks and was awarded another spot-kick when Prince Adu Poku was fouled in the box.

Substitute Mohammed Polo converted the kick to give his side the leader in the 69th minute.

From the 75th minute All Blacks had to play with 10 men when Accra Referee E. N. Adjei, red-carded inside-left Nii

Aryee Hammond for a second bookable offence.

Mohammed Polo sealed the doom of All Blacks in the 77th minute when his sizzling shot beat goalkeeper Mensah,

who dived too late to save the 30-metre shot.

Accra (Greater Accra), 15 Feb

Hearts of Oak beat Liberty Professionals, 2-0 in their third week ABC premier football league encounter at the El

Wak Sports Stadium yesterday. Mid fielder, Charles Allotey shot the Phobians ahead in the fifth minute before

substitute, Ishmael Addo made it two in the 49th minute. Hearts to ok the ball straight to the opponents goal area

immediately class one referee J.A. Agbeko of Kumasi signalled them into action, and created lots of anxious

moments for the unsettled Liberty defence.

In one of such moves, Hearts' were awarded a free kick when slippery winger Emmanuel Yartey was brought down

by Liberty's right full back Addoquaye Pappoe.

Skipper Robert Sabah effected the kick and Allotey out jumped the Liberty defence to head home Hearts' first goal

as goalkeeper, Louis Quainoo stood ball watching.

The Phobians kept the pressure on their opponents creating some goal-scoring chances in the ninth, 11th and 13th

minutes but inside right Joe Fameyeh and centre forward Osmanu Amadu fumbled and missed in succession.

The Liberty defence, who were finding it hard to keep the Hearts forwards at bay resorted to rough play. Right

winger Albert Neequaye was booked for fouling Hearts' right half back, Justice Ampah while Hearts left full back

Edmund Copson got his name into the referee's book for stamping Addoquaye Pappoe of Liberty.

Liberty nearly found the net in the 33rd minute but centre forward Asamoah Dzifa blasted off target a good pass

from Pappoe.

Addo, who had come on for Sabah during the recess got the second goal. He took a pass from Osmanu in the

penalty box and shot at the blind side of goalkeeper Quainoo.

The Phobians faded out of the game after the goal but Asamoah Dzifa, Eugene Commodore, and Pappoe

squandered several opportunities that came their way.

In the 60th minute, Liberty's substitute Dan Neequaye, who had come on for left winger Nii Aryee Armah was sent

off for hitting Addo in an off-the-ball incident.

The Phobians could not exploit their numerical advantage as gaps were opened in the defence Liberty the boys.

Hearts brought on Desmond Amoah and Lukeman Olaya for the injured Emmanuel

Yartey and Osamanu Amadu in the 80th and 85th minutes respectively. Olaya's first touch of the ball in the dying

minutes nearly resulted in a goal but he fumbled for goalkeeper Quainoo to save his feeble shot.

Visiting Real Tamale United (RTU) held Dawu Youngsters to a 1-1 drawn game in their match played at Dawu.

RTU took the lead in the 22nd minute when inside left Iddrisu Abass took advantage of a defensive mix-up and

shot the ball to the blind side of goalkeeper Yusif Danlad in the post for Dawu.

Dawu equalised through a spot kick converted by Joshua Kennedy in the 30th minute, when right full back of RTU

Yaw Kyeremeh, handled the ball in the penalty area.

 Dawu wasted a lot of chances in the first half with inside left Chronicle Kwame Amadu being the most offending

culprit.

The tempo of the game went down after the break, which the spectators said failed to meet their expectation.

Amadu came close to snatching the winner for his side in the 89th minute when his header beat RTU's goalkeeper

John Baker but the ball hit the cross bar and bounced back into play.

 Sekondi: Oly fall to Hasaacas

Sekondi Hasaacas defeated Accra Great Olympics 2- 0 in their ABC premier league match played at the Sekondi

Gyandu park. Both goals were scored by Yaw Serbeh in the 73rd and 81st minutes through spot kicks.

Both sides missed several scoring chances in the keenly contested match in which Hasaacas opened

attack after kick off with sharp passes on the flanks.

Olympics held Hasaacas in check through a strong defence and good goal-keeping by Samuel Quaye.

Nkawkaw: Okwahu win at home

Tano Bofoakwa played a very determined game but lost 0-1 to Okwawu United in their match played at the

Nkawkaw park.

 The only goal of the match was scored by outside left Kwabena Gyamfi in the 37th minute when his close range

shot beat goalkeeper Amadu Losina in posts for Bofoakwa.

Bofoakwa, who kicked off under the instructions of Accra-based FIFA referee Joseph Wellington dominated most of

the exchanges but failed to translate their dominance into goals.

Both teams made three changes in the second half. Bofoakwa continued to pile up pressure with beautiful

combination by centre forward Salifu Babangida and inside right Willie Brown but the Okwawu defence thwarted

all their efforts.

Bofoakwa nearly equalised in the 77th minute when their mid-fielder Fuseni Bawa hit the upright with a powerful

shot from outside the "18".

Ghapoha Readers played a determined game to beat visiting King Faisal 3-1 in their match played at the Tema

Sports Stadium. Ironically, it was King Faisal who took the lead in the 18th minute through centre forward George

Granio. Ghapoha accepted the challenge and equalised in the 42nd minute through a penalty taken by central

defender Richard Nii Noi. On resumption, Ghapoha did not give their opponents a breather as they mounted

pressure on them.

Inside left Adolf Mensah scored the second goal for Ghapoha when he headed home a free kick taken by outside

left Dan Edusei in the 48th minute.

Both teams exhausted their substitution in the second half before Ghapoha scored their third goal in the 85th

minute, again through Adolf Mensah.

Kotoko had to conjure their proverbial strong finishing power to outscore All Blacks, who gave them the scare as they proved stubborn and defiant.

The twice Africa champions, found in the determined youthful all Blacks side a hard nut to crack but managed to survive through elusive Prince Adu Poku, whose deft touches and incisive passes created the chances for the "Porcupine warriors".

Kotoko launched a bristling attack after kick-off forcing three corner-kicks in the first, second and fifth minutes as All Blacks struggled to find their rhythm but failed to capitalise on these. Courageous All Blacks goalkeeper Patrick Mensah dashed forward to save a shot by Kotoko's diminutive centre-forward Essuman Dadzie in the 11th minute when the visitors were pressurised. Six minutes later All Blacks returned the attack, boring holes in the jittery Kotoko rear-guard but centre-forward Evans Quaye, shot wide when goalkeeper Constant Mantey was teased out of the posts.

Kotoko could not break the deadlock in the 21st minute when a two-man Essuman Dadzie - Adu Poku move sliced open the All Blacks defence but right-winger Ernest Boateng shot wide. Rampaging Kotoko wasted a glorious chance when inside-right Mohammed Polo, the brightest spot in the Kotoko attack shot off target after a brilliant dribbling session.

All Blacks shot into the lead in the 43rd minute when a free- kick awarded them outside the "18", taken by left-winger Willie Brown bounced off the chest of goalkeeper Mantey and dropped at the feet of inside-right Chief Appiah for him to tap it into the net.

Kotoko started the second half in a fiery mood as substitute George Arthur inspired his side with quick runs from the right wing.

In one of his daring raids, Arthur ran past the defence and chipped the ball, which was handled in desperation by a defender of All Blacks.

Substitute Emmanuel Ampiah, who elected to take the kick hit a low shot which was punched by the goalkeeper but was not enough to prevent itfrom rolling into the net.

Goalkeeper Mensah over-stretched himself in the attempt to save the=penalty and the match was held up for four minutes to enable him to receive attention.

When the game re-started Kotoko, urged on by massive cheers from the packed crowd, laid siege on the goal-area of All Blacks and was awarded another spot-kick when Prince Adu Poku was fouled in the box.

Substitute Mohammed Polo converted the kick to give his side the leader in the 69th minute.

From the 75th minute All Blacks had to play with 10 men when Accra Referee E. N. Adjei, red-carded inside-left Nii Aryee Hammond for a second bookable offence.

Mohammed Polo sealed the doom of All Blacks in the 77th minute when his sizzling shot beat goalkeeper Mensah, who dived too late to save the 30-metre shot.