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Two razor-close bouts delivered high drama as Issah Okine and Precious Akai Nettey secured split-decision victories to book their places in the finals of the 2026 National Individual Amateur Boxing Championships set for February 27 at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra.
In front of an expectant crowd at The Gym in Accra yesterday, Okine of Wisdom Boxing Gym edged Rafael Lokko of The Gym by a tight 2-1 split decision in a bout that swung with every exchange. The judges returned the same narrow verdict in favour of Nettey, who overcame his stablemate Robert Tagoe at the famed Attoh Quarshie Gym at Jamestown, in another evenly balanced contest.
The wins set up a compelling welterweight final between two hungry prospects, both already guaranteed places in the provisional non-residential national team camp from which Ghana’s next generation of Black Bombers will be selected for international assignments.
The 67kg category has been one of the most competitive weight classes in the tournament, initially attracting 18 boxers.
Its semi-finals could not be staged on January 31 during the opening phase of the championships, as some fighters had already boxed twice and were ineligible to take a third bout in a single day under competition rules.
Okine, son of former Black Bomber Joshua Okine, alias Bukom Tsatsu, now stands on the brink of emulating his father’s legacy. Standing in his way is Nettey, who trains under assistant national team coach Vincent Akai Nettey and has shown composure beyond his years.
The opening phase of the championships, held on January 30–31, drew 145 boxers from across Ghana competing in 12 weight categories up to the semi-final stage.
Young fighters from the Volta, Ashanti, Central, Upper West and Northern regions tested themselves against the traditionally strong Accra contingent over two bruising days at the Ga-Mashie Hall inside the Bukom Boxing Arena, under the watchful eyes of boxing legends Azumah Nelson and Joshua Clottey.
The two semi-final winners in each weight class secured automatic entry into the provisional national team camp, which is expected to begin in early March as Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2.
According to Ghana Boxing Federation President Dauda Fuseni, the championships form part of a deliberate two-phase strategy to revive the sport’s fortunes and attract renewed corporate and government backing.
