Ghana’s Seth Gyimah, popularly known as Freezy Macbones, has been crowned the new WBO Africa light-heavyweight champion after defeating Nigeria’s Godday Appah, nicknamed ‘Zodsolo’, on points in Lagos.
Gyimah secured victory by judges’ decision on Thursday night, bringing an end to Appah’s reign as champion in a fiercely contested bout.
The fight, held on 1 October as part of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, lived up to the intense build-up, with both boxers producing several rounds of powerful exchanges.
The WBO Africa light-heavyweight championship event was staged in Lagos and presented by Ezekiel Adamu’s Balmoral Group.
After his victory, another Nigerian boxer challenged Gyimah to a fight, with the Ghanaian accepting the challenge for a proposed bout in December.
Gyimah said he was delighted to have secured the victory in front of a hostile away crowd and admitted he was surprised by his own performance.
“I cannot believe what I have done here,” Gyimah said after the fight.
The 37-year-old said winning the continental title was particularly significant because he only began boxing seriously at the age of 27, when many doubted whether he could build a successful career in the sport.
His determination and hard work have now earned him one of the biggest titles of his career and made him one of the oldest boxers to win a major championship.
Gyimah dedicated the victory to his supporters in Kumasi, Accra and abroad, thanking them for their prayers and encouragement.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Ghana Armed Forces Boxing Team coach Naval Officer Bernard Nartey, who had predicted victory before the bout.
Nartey, who was part of Gyimah’s team in Lagos, expressed pride at seeing his boxer become a continental champion.
In another bout on the same card, Ghana’s David Tagoe suffered defeat to Nigeria’s Yusuf Adisa Adeniji by unanimous decision.
The eight-round featherweight contest took place at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
