While the night was headlined by speed and power, Abdula Ahmed provided a masterclass in ring generalship. Facing a veteran opponent in Nigeria’s Oraboro Eradaye, Ahmed proved that composure and footwork are just as deadly as a knockout punch, securing a dominant unanimous decision victory to become the new WBA Africa Cruiserweight Champion.
Eradaye arrived at the Bukom Boxing Arena with a daunting record and a reputation for being a “road warrior.” From the opening bell, it was clear that the Nigerian intended to use his experience to bully the younger Ahmed. However, Ahmed’s preparation was evident. Utilising his significant height and reach advantage, he established a stiff, accurate jab that kept Eradaye from ever truly getting comfortable inside.
By the fifth round, the momentum swung heavily in Ahmed’s favour. While Eradaye attempted to close the distance with heavy overhand shots, Ahmed’s footwork was the story of the night. He consistently “stepped and slid,” making the more experienced fighter miss and pay with sharp counter-punches.
The crowd, which included legends like Asamoah Gyan and high-ranking officials like Sports Minister Kofi Adams, stayed on their feet as Ahmed systematically dismantled his opponent’s defence.
Although both fighters showed signs of exhaustion by the tenth and final round, Ahmed never lost his technical discipline. He finished the fight strong, earning scores of 99-91 from all three judges (Roger Barnor, Gabriel Maciel, and Temitayo Olaifa).
The victory keeps Ahmed’s professional record unsullied at 10-0, proving he is ready for the international stage.
Ahmed’s victory, alongside Theophilus Allotey’s, made for a clean sweep for the home favourites. This cruiserweight win adds another layer of prestige to Ghana’s boxing resurgence, showing that the nation has world-class talent across all weight divisions.
