1.
MV Joe Oke (in white shorts) and Peter assandoh boxing in round one
0.13

2.
MV Spectators
0.16

3.
MV Round one still in progress with Oke attacking
0.27

4.
CU Spectators
0.30

5.
MV Boxers later in fight with Oke attacking
0.43

6.
CU Spectators
0.46

7.
MV Fight with Assandoh on attack
0.54

8.
MV Spectators
0.58

9.
MV Boxers fighting
1.05

10.
MV Spectators
1.09

11.
MV Boxers fighting and crowd cheer
1.17

12.
GV Boxers and officials in ring with fight ending in draw
1.28



Initials CL/1815


SPORT: BOXING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A much publicised middleweight boxing match between Ghanaian boxers Joe Oke and Peter Assandoh ended in a draw on saturday (3 July).

SYNOPSIS: The clash between the two fighters was the main bout of the night at a gala boxing tournament organised at the Accra boxing stadium by promoter Freeman Kwame. Oke (in light shorts) was tipped to beat his opponent on points and in the first round did most of the attacking. As West African champion, Oke is well established in the sport and commands a large following. For his clash with Assandoh He brought busloads of supporters with him from his hometown, Kumasi.

Assandoh only came into the limelight recently, particularly since he beat the well-known George Aidoo over ten rounds last October. Since then a fan club has been formed for his and many of its members were there to give their support as he fought Oke. Previewing the fight, sports-writers in Accra described Oke as a fast boxer who used "floating tactics".

This is in direct contrast to Assandoh who is known to be a clincher - style that quite often frustrates an opponent into making mistakes.

Throughout the fight each boxer managed to worry the other, but neither seemed to be able to summon up tactics that gave his the upper hand, and at the end of round 10 the referee declared the match a draw.