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Source: Joy Sports
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has announced plans to implement stricter post-fight medical protocols following the tragic death of professional boxer Ernest Akushey, popularly known in the ring as ‘Bahubali’.
Akushey passed away just 11 days after his super middleweight bout against Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena on September 12. He reportedly suffered internal bleeding during the match, which ended in an eighth-round defeat. His death was confirmed in the early hours of Tuesday, sending shockwaves through Ghana’s boxing community and beyond.
The 27-year-old fighter, who also competed in the light heavyweight division, is the second Ghanaian boxer to die in 2025, following the passing of Gabriel Aluwasegun in April.
A Wake-Up Call for the Sport
Speaking to JoySports, Acting GBA President Roger Banor expressed condolences to Akushey’s family and acknowledged the urgent need for reforms to protect fighters:
“I would like to say sorry once again to the family. It is a learning curve and a wake-up call for us all,” Banor said.
“[The incident] shows that after a boxing fight, you must take care of yourself. You need days of rest before engaging in anything strenuous.”
Banor revealed that the GBA, in collaboration with its medical team, is working on a new mandatory medical structure for all boxers immediately following bouts.
“We are putting together a structure where, just after fights, you will be asked to report to the GBA medical department for full evaluation and care.”
Renewed Focus on Boxer Safety
The tragic loss of Akushey has reignited public concern over athlete welfare, particularly regarding post-fight monitoring and emergency response measures within Ghana’s boxing ecosystem.
Boxing stakeholders and medical experts have long called for comprehensive medical checks, cooling-off periods, and neurological assessments after intense matches to prevent undetected injuries from becoming fatal.
The GBA’s proposed reforms aim to ensure that no boxer steps back into the ring—or into daily life—without proper medical clearance and follow-up care.
