Theophilus Kpakpo "Lopez" Allotey produced a commanding performance to defeat Argentina's Facundo David Garcia by unanimous decision, winning their WBA super flyweight world title eliminator at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra on Saturday night. Allotey controlled the contest with impressive ring intelligence and discipline, earning identical 120-107 scores from all three judges. The 24-year-old was aware of what was at stake, as he aspires to emulate legends like Azumah Nelson and Ike "Bazooka" Quartey by winning a global championship.
The Ghanaian dominated the opening exchanges and dropped Garcia in the first round, immediately establishing his authority in the contest. Allotey repeatedly found his target with sharp combinations, although Garcia absorbed the punishment and remained determined to disrupt the Ghanaian's rhythm. The event was attended by several notable figures, including Azumah Nelson, Ike "Bazooka" Quartey, Joseph King Kong Agbeko, Joshua Clottey, Sports Minister Kofi Iddie Adams, and Ghana Boxing IMC boss Samir Captan.
Allotey continued to dictate the pace as the fight progressed, mixing his punches intelligently and keeping Garcia at the end of his shots. By the sixth round, the Ghanaian appeared close to forcing a stoppage after unleashing a barrage that left Garcia visibly wobbling, but the Argentine showed remarkable resilience. Garcia refused to back down and continued pressing forward, chasing Allotey around the ring and attempting to turn the fight into a brawl.
Despite Garcia's efforts, Allotey displayed a high ring IQ, using his speed, movement, and defense to frustrate the Argentine and avoid his most dangerous punches. A crisp right hook in the 10th round visibly snapped Garcia's head back, while another sustained assault in the 11th left him wobbling. Allotey followed with a variety of body shots, jabs, and hooks, but Garcia somehow survived.
Knowing he needed a dramatic finish, Garcia came out aggressively in the 12th, throwing everything at Allotey. The Ghanaian remained composed, tactically navigating the final round to secure a resounding points victory. The win marks a significant milestone in Allotey's career, as he inches closer to achieving his dream of becoming a global champion.
The event also featured several other notable bouts, including Samuel "Ring Warrior" Takyi's stoppage victory over Botswana's Steven Bagwasi, and Gideon Nortey's win over Yusuf Ayinde Ogunbumi of Nigeria. The heavyweight doubleheader saw Joseph "Junior Bazooka" Antwi and Nelson Awumey secure first-round stoppages over their respective opponents.
In the co-main event, Michael Decardi Nelson's bout with Jerry Klutei Robertson went the distance, finishing in a split draw. The preliminary bouts saw Emmanuel Fiakpornu, David Amenuveve, Shakul Samed, and Senegalese Mohammed Fall secure victories over their respective opponents. The successful event showcased the talents of Ghanaian boxers and set the stage for future high-profile bouts.
Key points
- Theophilus Kpakpo "Lopez" Allotey won the WBA super flyweight world title eliminator by unanimous decision against Facundo David Garcia.
- Allotey dominated the contest with impressive ring intelligence and discipline, earning identical 120-107 scores from all three judges.
- The event was attended by several notable figures in Ghana's boxing scene, including Azumah Nelson and Ike "Bazooka" Quartey.
