Jonathan ‘Worldwide’ Tetteh delivered a career-defining upset on Saturday night, defeating Seth Gyimah, widely known as Freezy Macbones, to capture the WBA Africa Light Heavyweight title in a bout that blended high-quality boxing with late controversy.
The University of Ghana Stadium crackled with anticipation as the “Legacy Rise” event reached its climax, turning the 10,000-seat arena into a sea of emotion.
The occasion was further elevated by the presence of President John Dramani Mahama, who attended as Special Guest of Honour and watched closely as the evening’s headline contest unfolded.
Macbones, the UK-based fighter, stepped into the ring as the overwhelming favourite, carrying an unbeaten record and the weight of expectation.
Yet the 36-year-old appeared unsettled from the outset, possibly affected by months of verbal sparring and psychological tactics from his younger opponent.
Tetteh, just 25, showed no respect for reputation, starting aggressively and using his speed to unsettle Macbones in the early rounds.
As the fight progressed, Macbones’ experience began to shine through. He found his timing, landing stiff jabs and digging into Tetteh’s body, suggesting he was taking control of the contest.
However, the physical toll became evident as the challenger increasingly resorted to clinching to slow the exchanges and regain his composure.
The bout took a bizarre and unsettling turn in the eighth and final round. During a heated exchange, Tetteh suddenly pulled away and dropped to the canvas, alleging that Macbones had bitten his shoulder in a moment of frustration.
The referee intervened immediately, penalising Macbones for unsportsmanlike conduct — a decision that ultimately proved decisive.
When the final bell sounded, the stadium fell silent as the judges’ scorecards were read. In front of President Mahama and the expectant crowd, Tetteh was announced the unanimous decision winner, extending his unbeaten record to 11 victories, while Macbones suffered the first defeat of his professional career.
As Tetteh celebrated his rise to continental champion, Macbones was left to reflect on a costly lapse that overshadowed an otherwise competitive performance and may have denied him the African title on a night that will be remembered for both its brilliance and controversy.
By Wletsu Ransford