THE names of Braimah ‘Bukom Banku’ Kamoko and Ayitey Powers are considered legends of professional boxing in Ghana not just because of the laurels they won.

These were boxers that started their careers from the middle weights and ended as light heavyweights and would go down in history as fighters that spiced the sport with entertainment.

In their absence, a new kid “Ernest Akushey” has emerged, cracking the ribs of fans with his showboating before and after fights.

Significantly, Banku and Powers failed to reach the heights of other legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Nana Yaw Konadu, Agbeko and others that jumped to stardom by winning world titles.

But Bukom Banku and Powers have a huge attraction and are even more popular than some of the world title winners, thanks to the entertainment and satirical moments they created around the sport.

Of the two, Powers has a poor fight record, losing more fights than what he won.

Bukom Banku became the WBO Africa light heavyweight champion for some time when he was signed by the Goldenmike Boxing Promotion.

The exit of the world champions created doubts in the minds of boxing lovers as to what the future holds but likes of Richard Commey and Isaac Dogboe emerged with successful world title bids.

Sadly, their reins didn’t last.

But the voids between those periods were always filled by these two boxing icons who always get the arena filled to capacity.

Be it individual clashes or the case of them facing each other, one thing would be guaranteed, that’s the arena would be filled to the brim.

What they lacked in laurels, they complement with the humorous events and activities before, during and after their fights. Their rendition of the English language would always attract the media for interviews.

Both are also musicians and always dazzle fans as special guests on the entertainment package that comes with the promotions.

A fight between Bukom Banku and Powers staged by Box Office Sports (BOS) grinded to a halt every activity in the capital. On both television and radio, issues about the fight dominated discussion programmes and on the fight night, fans filled the arena as early as 7pm. That is the kind of appeal they have on Ghana boxing.

In their retirement, they have tried to stay relevant, continuing with their episodes as Banku threatened to fight his own sons in the ring.

But while the Banku-Powers fever is die-down, Akushey appears to be in a position to sustain the comic moments, making the sport enjoy unprecedented trends in every corner.

The mention of his nickname Baubali will get the whole arena roar and get everyone fired up for an explosive evening.

In his last fight on Saturday against Jonathan Tetteh in a light heavyweight championship, he was kayoed on two occasions before ending it all in the seventh round.

In his post-fight comments, Baubali humbly admitted to losing to a better fighter but vowed to comeback for the title.

That comment attracted a huge applause from the fans who had followed him in both traditional and social media platforms.

Baubali videos have gone viral, showing fans which of his punches is capable of sending an opponent to the mortuary and which one could send one to Awudome (local cemetery in Accra).

He has other punches that makes an opponent sad and one that makes him laugh. These are what he brings to the table for Ghana boxing and he has been accepted.

 Ghana Premier League (GPL) leaders, Nations FC, will attempt to keep their hold of the top spot when they trek to the University of Ghana Stadium on Monday to play as guests of Legon Cities in their match day 31 game.

With three games to end the season, Nations FC lead the competition after match day 30. That puts them in reckoning for the title.

Coach Kasim Ocansey Mingle believes the race will go down to the wire, especially now that they have gone from title chasers to contenders.

Touting his team’s readiness to win the title and play in the CAF Champions League, he believes victory in this game will move that dream closer.

Legon Cities, who sacked head coach, Joachim Yaw Acheampong, at the beginning of the month due to poor results, would need a miracle to avoid relegation as they lie 17th in the 18-team league with 25 points.

It remains to be seen how Cities in post-coach Acheampong era, would fare against a resurgent Nations FC, who have the league title in sight.

Tomorrow at the Accra Sports Stadium, Accra Lions will continue with their attempt to escape relegation when they host Dormaa Aduana FC in a nail-biting affair.

Fourth-placed, Asante Kotoko, who trail the leaders by three points, will hope to close the gap with victory over resurgent Dreams FC as stand-in coach, Abdul Karim Zito, comes face-to-face with his former club at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The Golden City Park in Berekum will come alive with a clash between home side, Berekum Chelsea, and Accra Hearts of Oak.

Karela United will stay put at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium to welcome former league winners, Medeama SC, with their sight firmly fixed on plucking the three points to boost their relegation survival bid.

In other games tomorrow, Basake Holy Stars will welcome Heart of Lions to the Ampain AAk II Sports Arena, debutant, Vision FC, will host Young Apostles at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema, and Samartex FC will face Bechem United at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena.

In a pulsating quarterfinal clash between Ghana and Egypt at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the young Pharaohs edged the gallant Black Satellites 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time.

Ghana controlled the early exchanges, nearly capitalizing on a second-minute chance. Egypt responded with a wasted freekick in the 6th minute, setting the tone for a tightly contested opening.

 Both teams showed flashes of attacking threat, but the first 15 minutes remained cagey, with Egypt committing multiple fouls to disrupt Ghana’s rhythm. 

Ghana’s Phenyin-Denis Marfo received a yellow card in the 15th minute, followed by Egypt picking up their own caution three minutes later.

A costly error by the Satellites’ defence in the 19th minute gifted Egypt the opener, scored by Mohammed Sherif after a lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal. Just eight minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed Sherif to double Egypt’s lead.

Despite the setback, Ghana pressed forward, with Aziz Issah firing over the bar from a 36th-minute freekick and a header from a goalmouth scramble cleared off the line in the 43rd minute. Their persistence paid off when Issah rifled in a long-range strike in the first minute of first half added time to halve the deficit.

The Satellites began the second half with renewed energy. A series of chances followed — DaCosta and Denis both coming close — and Egypt had to make several defensive adjustments through substitutions. Jerry Afriyie missed two promising headers, and Aziz Issah continued to test the Egyptian goalkeeper.

As Ghana mounted pressure, tempers flared; an Egyptian official was red carded in the 77th minute. 

The Satellites appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute, but VAR ruled against them. Lord Afrifa, in midfield, and Joseph Opoku, on the left flank, were very influential throughout the 90 minutes of regulation time. 

Ghana’s resilience paid off in stoppage time: after a long VAR check, the Satellites were awarded a penalty and Hakim converted the spot kick to level the match at 2-2.

Ghana dominated extra time, despite going a man down when Essel was red carded in the 2nd minute of the second period. Aseako made a crucial save from the resulting freekick, and the team battled on bravely. Aidoo and Aziz Issah had chances, while Musibau headed over in the dying moments of the first period.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ghana still created chances but could not find the winner. Egypt replaced their goalkeeper just before the end of extra time, perhaps anticipating the shootout.

In the shootout, Ghana scored through Aziz, Denis, Opoku, and Musibau — but DaCosta’s miss proved decisive. Egypt converted all five of their kicks, sealing a dramatic victory and booking their place in the semifinals.

Final Score: Egypt 2 (5) – 2 (4) Ghana (after penalties)

A valiant fightback by the Satellites ended in an undesired outcome, but their spirit and determination shone throughout, and they exit the tournament with heads held high.

Hakim Abdul Sulemana won the Player of the match award.