Isaac Dogboe (14-0, 9KO) has retained his WBO African Featherweight title against Uganda’s Edward Kakembo (11-1, 3KO) after a sixth round knockout at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

It is Dogboe's second defense of the belt he first won last December.

Prior to the bout touted as the 'Battle of the Rising Stars’, Kakembo had promised to chain Dogboe - who he openly called a dog - which made the matchup a very interesting one to look forward to.

The event was star-studded, with ex-President Jerry John Rawlings among big games from entertainment, media, politics and sport there to grace the bout.

Dogboe and Kakembo had made several high-profile stops to meet many dignitaries (as well as media engagements) in the days leading up to the game, and so it was no surprise the turnout was great.

THE BOUT

It lived up to expectation as the two boxers where heated up for the contest from the first round.

Kakembo in the early stages showed his aggressiveness despite the free flow of punches thrown at him from the quick hands of the Ghanaian boxer, who copiously employed various combinations with his left and right as well as hooks.

Dogboe showed his determination with some blistering speed combined with technique and skill on Kakembo’s head on which he occasionally got through which made him develop a cut on his face.

Kakembo was fierce as ever, withstanding the Dogboe jabs. The Ghanaian tried a few uppercuts without success; Kakembo on various occasions complained to the ref that Dogboe was hitting the back of his head. The complaints were ignored.

Dogboe was in cruise control as he executed a knowdown in the sixth round which saw Kakembo in a daze. And he could not go on.

Kakembo, after the bout, complained about the food he had been given prior to the fight. "Ghana food was full of pepper!", he said.

[UPDATE: An earlier version of this article quoted Kakembo as saying "The food was full of vapour".The above is actually what he said". 

After the fight, the 21-year old Ghanaian, aka ‘the Royal Storm’ took to Facebook, where he thanked his fans. "Thank you to everyone for their support, those who made it and those who weren't able to. Great Atmosphere, Great Energy n Great people." 

WATCH HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIGHT

 

PRE-BOUT TRASH TALK

The hype around this fight was chiefly helped by the bravado show by the Ugandan, who entertained at every opportunity. Here he was speaking to Joy News on Thursday, calling Dogboe 'a dog'...among other things.

-

Additional files from Sports Crusader