Former bantamweight contender Duke Micah of Ghana has taken to social media to refute recent reports regarding his health following a TKO loss Saturday night.
The 32-year-old Micah, who hadn’t fought since suffering a September 2020 third-round KO loss to John Riel Casimero in a world title bout, ended a near four-year layoff from the ring last Saturday by making his debut in the little-known Combat League tournament. However, things didn’t go his way yet again as he suffered a one-sided TKO loss to the unheralded Javon Campbell.
The knockout included a punch to the back of the head, leading ringsiders to believe that Micah had suffered serious brain injury. Micah has been plagued by such rumors in recent years as his long layoff from the sport has raised questions about his ability to compete in a professional boxing match. That he finally returned in a bout that was not sanctioned as a boxing match raised even more speculation.
But the 2012 Ghanian Olympian took to Facebook to refute the chatter on Monday.
“Ghanaian journalists, why are you writing bad things about me? You are writing things that are not true about me,” Micah declared. “Why are you trying to tarnish my image? Where are you trying to destroy me? This is me right now. Most of you Ghanaian journalists must be careful writing things about people.”
“How am I having brain damage?” Micah continued. “If you don’t have news to write, don’t use me on your platform because I don’t have anything doing with you Ghanaian journalists. This is me right here. Suffering brain damage where? Stop destroying me.”
Micah trainer Daniel Oko Odamtten also posted photos of Micah training with the caption, “Duke Micah who people say has a brain injury sparred very hard tonight with Abraham Nova. What is wrong with our people, this is very bad.”
Micah has been largely MIA since his first pro defeat to the aforementioned Casimero back in 2020. The boxer’s issues with management and trainers were well-publicized (see story HERE). Following the prolonged layoff, he aligned with The Combat League, an outfit that has received scrutiny for its handling of boxer Ardi Ndembo. Ndembo died two weeks after being permitted to participate in the April Team Combat League event despite being knocked out in sparring prior to that.
Micah may be in the clear as far as any significant injury but questions remain as to why he participated in such a lowly-regarded event after four years away from the ring and what the status of his career is as he has now been knocked out inside three rounds in two consecutive bouts.
