Ofori Asare, trainer of Bastie Samir, is asking the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to sanction referee Fred Ghartey. Asare believes Ghartey favored Braimah “Bukom Banku” Kamoko during the October 21nd bout versus Samir in Accra’s Bukom Boxing Arena.
The bout featured heavy two-way action. Ultimately, Samir’s youth and power shone as he scored a seventh round TKO.
“I don’t need to tell the GBA to sanction him because the members of the GBA were there and know what to do in such situations,” Asare told Graphic Sports. “He must be sanctioned for such a poor performance in such a bout.”
Asare is calling for the GBA to sanction or punish Ghartey to ensure that future referees aren’t as biased.
“It was very clear that he took sides with the opposite camp, because I couldn’t understand some of the decisions he took on the night and must be punished to protect the interest of the sport,” Asare noted.
Ghartey’s performance has been roundly criticized by most spectators. Notably, when Samir dropped Kamoko in the seventh, the referee didn’t pick up a count, instead walking the fallen fighter to a corner and giving him time to recover, and even be inspected by the ringside doctor, before action resumed. It took another barrage followed by another knockdown for Ghartey to call off the bout.
Asare, who also coaches Ghana’s national amateur squad, says a precedent must be set. He also pointed out that he was shocked when the GBA forced Samir to change his gloves after Team Kamoko protested them.
“We had the required glove size, but our opponents protested and the GBA adhered to their concerns even when they knew what Bastie was wearing was appropriate.
“I believe these things shouldn’t happen if the GBA wants the sanctity of the sport to be protected.”
