Osumanu Defeats Affini to Retain WBO Africa Title

At the Idrowhyt Event Centre in Dansoman, Ghana, the atmosphere was electric last Friday as Haruna “Saabo” Osumanu delivered an outstanding performance to retain his WBO Africa heavyweight title. Osumanu, the Ghanaian boxing champion, stopped Nigeria’s Idris “Infinity” Affini in the seventh round, securing his victory with power, precision, and resilience. The fight was a rematch following Osumanu’s win over Affini in December 2023, and it lived up to the hype, as the Ghanaian once again proved why he is one of Africa’s most formidable heavyweights.

From the opening round, Osumanu (17-3, 11 KOs) established dominance, asserting control over the match. Affini, who had vowed to avenge his previous defeat and reclaim the title for Nigeria, found himself under pressure from the beginning. Osumanu’s strategy was straightforward yet devastating: attack the body to drain Affini’s energy and wait for the right moment to unleash his powerful punches. Despite his clear superiority, Osumanu struggled to land a decisive knockout blow early in the fight.

Affini, on the other hand, fought defensively, trying to avoid Osumanu’s attacks by circling the ring. By the fourth round, he was clearly on the retreat, relying on clinches to slow the pace and limit the champion’s attacks. This tactic, though frustrating for Osumanu and the passionate crowd in Dansoman, did little to slow the relentless pressure from the Ghanaian. Referee Roger Barnor had to step in and deduct points from Affini in both the third and fourth rounds for excessive holding. Despite the warnings, Affini continued with his defensive approach, looking for an opportunity to counterattack.

The fight reached its climax in the seventh round. After six rounds of intense back-and-forth action, Osumanu saw an opening and launched a brutal series of punches, sending Affini crashing to the canvas. Affini managed to rise before the referee’s count, but it was clear that he was hurt. Osumanu, sensing that his opponent was vulnerable, moved in quickly, unleashing another flurry of punches that sent Affini to the ground once more. This time, the ringside doctor intervened, assessing Affini’s condition and determining that he was unfit to continue. The referee, following the doctor’s advice, stopped the fight, awarding Osumanu a well-earned TKO victory.

With this win, Osumanu extends his professional record to 17 wins, three losses, and 11 knockouts. After the fight, Osumanu, known for his charismatic and lively personality, took the microphone to express his gratitude. “This victory marks the beginning of a new chapter for me,” he said. “My opponent fought hard and gave me a tough time, but I’m pleased with my performance. I still have room to improve, and I’m ready to take on international challenges.”

The night was packed with excitement and thrilling action, as the Cabic Big Fight Night delivered some spectacular finishes. WBO Africa bantamweight champion Daniel Selassie Gorsh showcased his power by knocking out veteran Isaac Nettey in just two rounds. Olympic medallist Samuel Takyi, known as the ‘Ring Warrior,’ put on a dominant performance against Togo’s Komlangan Hounkpatin. After three one-sided rounds, Hounkpatin’s corner threw in the towel before the fourth round could begin, stopping the fight in Takyi’s favour.

In other impressive performances, Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey forced Jonathan Agbeviade to retire in his corner after four punishing rounds. Abu Kamoko, the son of boxing legend Braimah Kamoko (Bukom Banku), needed just one round to defeat Kwesi Tutu in a light heavyweight clash. Rising star Kevin Abraham ‘Carter’ continued his flawless record with a second-round stoppage against Ansah Kofi Raymond.

The event also saw former Ghana and West Africa champion Delali Miledzi triumph in a competitive international super middleweight bout against Benin’s Naimou Aziz Samson. Abubakar Mubarak, who had faced his first professional loss, made a strong comeback with a fourth-round knockout victory over Thomas Okaidjah Aryeetey in a WBO Africa super middleweight title fight.

The night of boxing action highlighted the talent emerging in Ghana’s boxing scene and the continued success of established fighters, making it an unforgettable experience for fans and a great showcase of the country’s boxing talent.