Bukom Banku has announced his retirement from professional boxing due to his eye problems and his two sons’ entry into the sport.
In an interview with Halifax on the Best Entertainment Show on Okay FM, he revealed that he has handed over all his boxing gloves and shorts to his sons, Abu Kamoko and Mustapha Kamoko, and expects them to continue his legacy in boxing.
Bukom Banku also mentioned that he has achieved a certain level of success in boxing and is now focusing on other ventures such as comedy, videos, shows, and TV/radio commercials to support himself.
“I am grown this time, same time my eyes is also paining me. I don’t want to fight again because, three of my sons have entered into boxing. I have packed everything my gloves and shorts and given it to them,” he said.
Banku’s announcement comes six years after his defeat by Bastie Samir in their cruiserweight bout. Despite entering the fight with a 29-bout winning streak, Banku was unable to withstand the power of his younger opponent.
Throughout the match, Banku found himself on the canvas twice, once in the third round and again in the seventh. Despite predicting a sixth-round stoppage, Banku was instead met with a relentless assault from Samir, who continuously landed punches on his face and body. In the seventh round, Banku’s fatigue caused him to drop his guard even further, allowing Samir to go in for the kill.
A series of unanswered punches prompted the referee to intervene, giving Banku a mandatory eight-second count after being doused with water by a fan. However, this brief respite was short-lived as Samir swiftly sent Banku crashing to the canvas for the second and final time, resulting in a bloodied right eye.
Banku struggled to rise to his feet, appearing disoriented, and the referee ultimately decided to end the fight in the second minute of the seventh round to prevent further punishment.
Despite the loss, Banku split a cash prize of GHC 200,000 with Samir, while Samir will also receive an additional bonus of GHC 5,000 from Accra Mayor Mohammed Adjei Sowah.
Meanwhile, watch Banku announce his retirement in interview on Okay FM with Halifax
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