Boxing fans who thronged the Bukom Boxing Arena last Friday were left bewildered and angry after witnessing a controversial decision awarded to Ghanaian George Ashie against South African Michael Mokoena in their interim WBO Lightweight championship bout.
Some fans who were at the bout, put together by Box Office Promotions under the banner 'The Tiger Roars', told the Graphic Sports that the sinking image of officiating in processional boxing in the country had further been worsened by this decision they described as dubious.
South Africa Journey man Mokoena dominated his opponent from start to finish, but strangely lost on Judges Roger Barnor's score card(117-105), Adorn Bertin 117-113 and a draw on Erasmus Owoo's score card(116-116) in a majority decision in favour of the Bukom fighter popularly referred to as 'The Red Tiger'.
Gauteng-based Mokoena whose lost last Friday made it twice in his 14 bouts professional career started well, jabbing his opponent with his right and using his reach to keep Ashie away.
He bloodied Ashie in the third round after fierce exchanges between the two in the pulsating encounter.
The southpaw engaged in fierce exchanges with the Ghanaian who also combined effectively to the body of his opponent in the early rounds.