It was absolute chaos! A referee abandoning the ring mid-fight? Fans hurling missiles? And two boxers refusing to leave even after the military stepped in? This sounds like something straight out of a movie.
The Bukom Boxing Arena was packed to capacity, and not even the unusual delay of the main event could deter the passionate crowd.
Eventually, the younger of the two fighters, Derrick Quaye, stepped into the blue corner well after 4 a.m., exuding confidence and eagerness for battle.
His opponent, the more experienced Henry Malm, entered the red corner equally charged and ready for the showdown.
Quaye ignited the crowd early, dominating the first round with relentless energy. But Malm responded in round two, engaging in a fierce toe-to-toe exchange, keeping veteran referee Shadrack Acquaye on high alert.
As the bout progressed, tempers flared, and what began as a boxing contest quickly turned into a physical brawl filled with fouls and violations.
Malm, using his superior reach and experience, disrupted Quaye’s game plan, frustrating his younger opponent.
Then, 25 seconds into the fifth round, chaos erupted, Malm physically tossed Quaye out of the ring as they tangled in a heated exchange.
The referee deducted two points from Malm after Quaye was cleared to continue by the ringside doctor.
The fight became increasingly contentious, marred by constant complaints, hold-ups, and repeated warnings. By the seventh round, tensions reached a boiling point.
Missiles rained down from the crowd, prompting an astonishing turn of events, referee Shadrack Acquaye fled the ring, leaving the two boxers stunned.
Malm, in a desperate attempt to restore order, pleaded with the fans to stop.
Military personnel stormed the ring to protect both fighters, but neither Quaye nor Malm was willing to leave.
After nearly 30 minutes of uncertainty and with no sign of the referee, the match officials exited, followed by the military.
It took the intervention of boxing enthusiasts to mediate peace between the two fighters, who eventually left the ring side by side.
The chaos overshadowed the scheduled bouts of Wasiru Dzatabi Mohammed and five others, denying them the chance to showcase their skills.
This incident once again highlights the urgent need for psychological training in professional boxing.
By Peter Quao Adattor,
