Despite a forced ban on boxing activities in Ghana, fans of the sport had something to cheer about following an exchange programme between the Bukom Boxing Club in Ghana and the Boxing Club Drouias from France.

The event, which featured a special workshop on Saturday for boxing stakeholders including coaches, matchmakers, and managers at the Media Centre of the Accra Sports Stadium, was climaxed by a special championship for boxers from Ghana and the French club on Sunday.

In attendance were the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah; Mr Bernard Quartey, President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF); and other boxing enthusiasts.

The night commenced with five exhibition bouts that pitched Emmanuel Selasi Wilson against Mershack Afutu Kotey, Roland Yartey against Kelvin Kotey Hammond, Blessing Lartey against Lydia Yartey, Benjamin Ankrah against Bernard Addy, and Emmanuel Attoh versus Samuel Allotey.

The Bukom team dominated the exchanges in the gala, which witnessed four grueling bouts.

In the lightweight (60kg) division, Ebenezer Ankrah emerged the gold medal winner after defeating Billel Jnibi Junior in an entertaining contest. Francis Quartey replicated that feat in his clash against Anthony Maillot in the light welterweight (63kg) category to also win gold.

Mathias Ashitey had a Referee Stop Contest (RSC) decision in his favour following a cut suffered by his opponent, Youssef Belhoussine, to win the gold medal in the flyweight (52kg) division. The bout between Precious Akai Nettey and Marques Mesquita was called off.

Speaking to The Times Sports, Mr Augustus Dodoo, Media Liaison of Bukom Boxing Gym, expressed gratitude to the NSA, GBF, and other boxing gyms for supporting the event.

According to him, it was a good exercise for the local boxers and he urged other gyms to look for similar opportunities to give their boxers the needed exposure to mature into world beaters.