Osumana Akaba
Encyclopedia
Osumana Akaba is a Ghanaian professional boxer who has challenged for the Commonwealth title at two different weights.
. His first defeat came two fights after when he lost to Abdul Malik Jabir for the Ghanaian super bantamweight title once again in Kaneshie. Akaba avenged his first defeat five fights and five wins later when he beat Jabir for the vacant WBC
International Featherweight title this time in Ghana's capital city Accra
. Akaba would lose the belt in his first defence over 12 rounds to Jeffrey Mathebula in South Africa
. It was the first time Akaba had fought outside his native country.
's Paul Truscott
for the Commonwealth featherweight title in Middlesbrough
. Akaba was considered a step up in class for Truscott at the time and ended with a good win for the Englishman over 12 rounds. Akaba bounced back from the defeat when he beat the South African fighter Tshifhiwa Munyai
in July 2008 over 8 rounds in Dagenham
. Munyai was a highly touted fighter in the UK and had scored some good wins over Martin Power
(twice) and Lee Haskins
.
In Sept 2008 Kevin Mitchell gave up his Commonwealth super featherweight title and Akaba was drafted in by Frank Warren's Sports Network to contest the vacant title against house fighter Ricky Burns
at London's York Hall. The fight ended with a win for Burns over 12 rounds.
Early professional career
Akaba made his professional debut in January 2001 with a win over Sarouna Mamoudou in Kaneshie, GhanaGhana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
. His first defeat came two fights after when he lost to Abdul Malik Jabir for the Ghanaian super bantamweight title once again in Kaneshie. Akaba avenged his first defeat five fights and five wins later when he beat Jabir for the vacant WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
International Featherweight title this time in Ghana's capital city Accra
Accra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
. Akaba would lose the belt in his first defence over 12 rounds to Jeffrey Mathebula in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. It was the first time Akaba had fought outside his native country.
Commonwealth Challenges
With a record of 10 wins and 3 defeats Akaba travelled to the UK in May 2008 and took on EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
's Paul Truscott
Paul Truscott
Paul Truscott is an English professional boxer from Middlesbrough. He is a former Commonwealth featherweight champion.-Early career:Truscott made his professional debut in June 2006 at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with a win over experienced journeyman Billy Smith...
for the Commonwealth featherweight title in Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
. Akaba was considered a step up in class for Truscott at the time and ended with a good win for the Englishman over 12 rounds. Akaba bounced back from the defeat when he beat the South African fighter Tshifhiwa Munyai
Tshifhiwa Munyai
Tshifhiwa Munyai is a professional boxer from South Africa who has competed in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. He is the current holder of the WBA inter-continental bantamweight title and is a former holder of the Commonwealth bantamweight title....
in July 2008 over 8 rounds in Dagenham
Dagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
. Munyai was a highly touted fighter in the UK and had scored some good wins over Martin Power
Martin Power
Martin Power is an English professional boxer who fights in the bantamweight division. He is a former British champion and has twice competed for the Commonwealth title.-Early Professional Career:...
(twice) and Lee Haskins
Lee Haskins
Lee Haskins is a British professional boxer from Bristol in England who has fought in the Flyweight, Super Flyweight and Bantamweight divisions...
.
In Sept 2008 Kevin Mitchell gave up his Commonwealth super featherweight title and Akaba was drafted in by Frank Warren's Sports Network to contest the vacant title against house fighter Ricky Burns
Ricky Burns
Ricky Burns is a boxer from Coatbridge in Scotland who fights in the lightweight division and is currently the WBO interim lightweight champion of the world becoming only the 13th Scottish boxing world champion. He is also a former WBO Super-Featherweight champion, Commonwealth super featherweight...
at London's York Hall. The fight ended with a win for Burns over 12 rounds.