The town of Bukom in Accra is considered the cradle of Africa boxing. On March 6, one boxer will lay claim to bragging rights there.
On that day, George ‘Red Tiger’ Ashie and Robert ‘Stopper’ Quaye, two Bukom natives, square off at Bukom Boxing Arena in a bout many believe will rejuvenate local rivalries within the area.
Ashie (32-5-1, 24 KOs) and Quaye (20-0, 17 KOs) are two of the more popular fighters within the vicinity and are (or were) long-time friends.
The 29-year-old Quaye says he grew up admiring the 37-year-old Ashie.
“I will continue to refer to him as someone I looked up to when I started by boxing career because he was unbeatable at the time,” Quaye said in an interview with BoxingAfrica.com.
Nevertheless, Quaye will attempt to take Ashie’s head off when they throw down on Ghana’s Independence Day for the IBF and WBO Africa super lightweight championship.
Ashie was the target of every Ghanaian lightweight f during his heyday nearly 10 years ago. During this time, an up and coming Quaye was eager for a shot at challenging Bukom’s top dog
“This is a fight I have been looking for throughout my career and I am glad I have the chance now,” said Quaye.
“He refused to give me the opportunity to challenge him when he was at the peak of his career but I am ready to give him this fight so I can retire him.”
Ashie opted to face Emmanuel ‘Gameboy’ Tagoe instead, a fight he lost by controversial decision.
“The fight just didn’t happen and it was not because I didn’t want to fight him but I had so many options to choose from at the time,” Ashie told BoxingAfrica.com.
“The time is now for us to show Ghanaians what we can do in the ring.”
The much-anticipated bout headlines a card dubbed ‘Rumble to Freedom’ which was announced last month as both fighters signing a contract with Box Office Boxing Promotions to slug it out on March 6.
Ashie believes his experience will see him through on fight night.
“He hasn’t fought anyone like me since he started his pro career and that is going to be his biggest test of the night,” said Ashie.
“I know I will secure an emphatic victory over Quaye because I have the experience to deal with anything in the ring.”
Meanwhile, Quaye is confidently predicting a seventh-round KO win—and worse.
“My focus is the world title and he can’t stop me,” Quaye warned. “I will stop him and send him to retirement because he is finished.
“He can’t beat me because I will be too strong to handle on the night.”
