National Lightweight Champion, Michael ‘Bullet’ Ansah, has predicted a fifth-round knockout win over rival Sheriff ‘One Time’ Quaye in their Independence Day trilogy clash at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday.

Ansah lost a controversial split points decision to Quaye in 2018 before coming back to earn a knockout win in a rematch the following year, but this time he is confident his nemesis does not have the quality to match him in their third bout.

This weekend's third clash should settle arguments over which of the two boxers is the strongest but the stakes are higher this time as it serves as a Commonwealth lightweight title eliminator after they had two previous bouts in October 2018 and March 2019.

Ansah jabs

Speaking to the media yesterday, Ansah taunted his opponent, saying he would teach Quaye a lesson in the sport because he was yet to face a dangerous boxer in the division.

“I will beat him and he knows it,” Ansah said and added: “What does he have in the ring that can trouble me? I don’t see anything from him that will shake me in the ring.”

“I have fought all the tough lightweights in the country and Sheriff Quaye is not one of them. I want to urge the supporters to come early because I don’t see the fight going past five rounds.”

Quaye's counter-punch

However, Quaye debunked his opponent's assertion and maintained he had faced all the credible boxers in the lightweight division, with only former world champions Richard Commey and Emmanuel ‘Gameboy’ Tagoe as the best Ghanaian boxers at 135 pounds.

Quaye noted that he was ready to prove a point to Ansah in their third fight for both the bragging rights and a shot at the Commonwealth title. He assured boxing enthusiasts that they would see a different boxer in the ring on Saturday night.

“Bullet must ensure he fights till round five before he can stop me. That is one thing he forgets whenever he promises his knockout win against me.

“Everyone must expect a different Sheriff Quaye on Saturday because I am really prepared for the fight. It is going to be war and I am definitely up for it,” Quaye said.

For his part, fight promoter, Mr Alex Ntiamoah Boakye of the Box Office Sports Promotions, announced the cancellation of a scheduled IBF Africa super lightweight championship between Ghana’s Robert ‘Stopper’ Quaye and Prince Dlomo of South Africa.

He said Quaye would instead fight Richard Amenfu in a 10-round contest, while undefeated featherweight, Alfred ‘Bukom Bomber’ Lamptey will slug it out with veteran George Krampah for the West Africa Boxing Union (WABU) title.

“Unfortunately, Robert Quaye’s South African opponent couldn’t travel for the fight and that means the bout has been cancelled.”

Supporting bouts

Other undercards on the night will be a national featherweight championship clash involving undefeated John Laryea and Kamarudeen Boyefio, Holy Dorgbetor versus Edward Kambassa in a featherweight contest while Daniel Aduku faces Naimou Aziz Samson slug it out in a super welterweight contest.

Theophilus Tetteh will engage Musa Appiah at super bantamweight, Daniel Gorsh and debutant Michael Abban set to fight yet to be announced opponents.