Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah has lost his WBO Africa Light Heavyweight title after Ghana’s Seth “Freezy MacBones” Gyimah defeated him by unanimous decision in Lagos.
The championship bout took place on October 1 at the Federal Palace Hotel as part of the Chaos in the Ring boxing event.
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Appah entered the contest as defending champion and with the advantage of fighting in front of a home crowd, but that was not enough to stop his Ghanaian challenger from leaving Lagos with the continental belt.
The two fighters went the distance in the main event before the judges handed Gyimah the victory.
For Appah, the result brings his reign as WBO Africa champion to an end and leaves the Nigerian facing the challenge of rebuilding after surrendering his title on home soil.
The defeat also came after a heated build up between both fighters.
Appah and Gyimah had exchanged strong words before the contest, with their face-off requiring security intervention as tensions increased ahead of fight night.
But once the talking ended and the championship was decided inside the ring, it was the Ghanaian who emerged with the belt.
Gyimah’s victory is particularly notable considering his unusual route into professional boxing.
The 37 year old began boxing relatively late and has now added a major African title to his career after defeating the Nigerian champion away from home.
The result could also set up another Nigeria-Ghana contest.
Following the bout, another Nigerian boxer challenged the new champion, with Gyimah reportedly accepting the possibility of another fight in December.
That could give Nigerian boxing an early opportunity to bring the continental title back across the border.
For Appah, however, attention now turns to what comes after losing the crown.
He entered the Independence Day contest carrying the belt and home advantage.
Ten rounds later, both belonged to someone else.
