WBO Africa Bantamweight Clash: Gorsh and Allotey Defend Their Unbeaten Records

Reigning WBO Africa bantamweight champion Daniel Selassie Gorsh has issued a stern warning to his challenger, Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, promising a knockout when they meet in the co-main event of the highly anticipated “Battle of the Beasts” fight night this Friday at Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

The event is promoted by Sharaf Mahama’s Legacy Rise Sports Promotions in partnership with British boxing icon Amir Khan’s Promotions. It will also feature Nigerian-American Andrew ‘The Beast’ Tabiti facing Ghana’s Jacob ‘The Beast’ Dickson for the inaugural WBC Africa Cruiserweight (Super Cruiserweight) Championship.

This groundbreaking fight card forms part of the World Boxing Council (WBC)’s “Year of Africa” campaign, a celebration of Africa’s rich boxing heritage. The event will pay tribute to Ghanaian legend Azumah Nelson and is expected to draw Ghana’s former President John Mahama, who is also Sharaf Mahama’s father.

Gorsh, who turned professional on Ghana’s Independence Day in 2021, has rapidly ascended the ranks. In April 2023, he claimed the national bantamweight title by dominating Michael Tagoe with unanimous 120-108 scorecards over 12 rounds. Less than a year later, on March 5, 2024, Gorsh captured the UBO African bantamweight crown after a decisive win against Moses Adjei Selvi.

His momentum continued with a convincing 12-round victory over Benin’s Ghislain Vodounhessi last September to secure the WBO Africa bantamweight championship. Now, he faces a formidable opponent in Theophilus Allotey, also known as Lopez, one of Ghana’s rising stars.

Allotey boasts a distinguished amateur career, having won multiple continental medals and fought across various international stages. Since turning professional last July, he has remained unbeaten in ten fights, capturing both the national and UBO Africa super flyweight titles along the way.

While Gorsh respects Allotey’s pedigree, he remains confident about his chances.

“This is the biggest fight of my career,” Gorsh told Graphic Sports at the Bronx Boxing Club in Bukom. “I know he is very good, but I’m not under pressure. I believe in my hard work and my coach. I promise my fans he won’t last all rounds—I will stop him.”

He added, “I’m grateful for my coach and management. They’ve been key to my journey. They know what I’m capable of. When I step into the ring, the king will show his crown.”

Supporting Gorsh is his experienced coach, Lawrence Carl Lokko, renowned for training world title contenders. Lokko’s other fighters, Jacob Dickson and Abu Kamoko (son of the famed retired boxer Bukom Banku), will also compete on Friday’s stacked card.

“It all comes down to boxer versus boxer, gym versus gym, coach versus coach,” Lokko said confidently. “At Wisdom Gym, we know we’re always on top. We’ve beaten them before and we’re ready to do it again.”

With the eyes of the African boxing community watching, Friday’s “Battle of the Beasts” promises to be a night of fierce competition, legacy, and thrilling knockout action.