ILLUSTRIOUS SON OF THE SOIL

Komla Dumor, grandson of the Ghanaian National Anthem composer, son of Professor Ernest K. Dumor, (Advisor) National Identification Authority and Mrs. Cecilia Joana Kokui Dumoris a journalist who was born on 3 October 1972 in Accra, Ghana. Initially, Dumor studied medicine but he changed course and graduated from the University of Ghana with a BSc in Sociology and Psychology and from Harvard University with an MA in Public Administration. Dumor worked for JOY FM in Accra, Ghana, and was the 2003 winner of Journalist of the Year award given by the Ghana Journalist Association. He joined the BBC African Service in 2006 as host of the radio programme Network Africa. From 2008 to 2012 he presented The World Today on the BBC World Service a program to saw him travel to almost every part of the world. In 2011 Dumor began presenting the World News and Africa Business Report on BBC World News television. As of June 2012, Dumor is the main presenter of the BBC World News programme Focus on Africa. Prior to joining the BBC, Dumor is the only West African news reader on BBC World News. He is married to Kwansema, with whom he has three children. His siblings are: Ms Mawuena Dumor, Corporate Services Director of telecoms operator, MTN; and Dr. Korshie Dumor, Physician College of Physicians & Surgeons, Colombia University, New York, USA. He has and is still playing a major role in our broadcasting industry and towards the growth of the country at large.

Hello Readers,

Today our topic on SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST page will focus on BOXING. (Amateur Boxing).

Amateur Boxing in Ghana started as far back as the beginning of the 20th Century (1900) when indigenous Amateur boxing fights were organized. This was done with the bare knuckle fist fighting in either single combats or inter-clan-for-all fights. (Asafo Atsere).

In 1926, an expatriate District Commissioner called Williams in Accra staged boxing fights at the back of his bungalow. He later teamed up with Lt. Col. Banford, a colonial police commissioner, to organize amateur boxing championships at the Nsawam Cadbury and Fry yard.

Currently in Ghana, there are over fifty (50) boxing clubs, with majority of them in the Accra metropolis.

Now lets have a little feel of a WARRIOR FROM THE PAST!

BARIMAH AZUMAH NELSON

 (Born 19July 1958), Azumah Nelson a native of Ghana, is a former professional boxer. He is widely considered as the greatest African boxer ever. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes.

Nelson's professional boxing debut, in 1979.

He beat Billy Kwame in Accra by a decision in eight to mark his professional debut and later fought the likes of Henry Sadler, Joe Skipper; his fight against Bozzou Aziza of Togo in 1981 was his first fight abroad and later Miguel Ruiz, Brian Roberts.

He lost by a knockout in round 15, to Salvador Sanchez on 21 July 1982 at the Madison Square Garden in New York in a WBC featherweight championship and despite him losing that fight, the Ghanaian rose to higher heights and in his next fight, Nelson knocked out his opponent, contender Irving Mitchell in eight rounds.

This illustrious son of the black race, is forever remembered for retaining the WBC Super Featherweight Title six (6) times on the roll.

On 8 January, 2004 Barima Azumah Nelson was selected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and was inducted 13 June 2004.

He is also a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Hope you really enjoyed this piece and catch you another time reading this blog.