Former boxer Aryeetey Powers has sworn to proceed with the “Battle of the Beasts” boxing event despite the National Sports Authority’s (NSA) ban on all boxing activities.

The Authority announced the ban following the death of boxer Ernest Akushey, aka ‘Bahubali’.

Speaking during an appearance on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show on Wednesday, September 24, the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, revealed that all boxing activities in Ghana are suspended until investigations into the cause of death of Bahubali are completed.

The goal of the ban is to prioritise the safety of boxers and ensure that proper safety measures are in place before any future boxing events resume.

“All boxing activities are hence suspended pending investigation into the death of Ernest Akushey,” he announced.

Financing and organising a single-night professional boxing event, Aryeetey said, he will proceed with the event despite the vow as he cannot allow his investment in terms of finances, time and organising, among others, to go to waste; he has no intention of cancelling the fight.

He disclosed during an exclusive interview with Gideon Okyere Anim (Gattuso) on Original TV.

“There’s no way I’m going to cancel my fight,” Powers said. “I’ve put in too much — both in terms of money and planning. My investment cannot go to waste,” he explained.

Powers expressed deep disappointment, claiming he was misled by both the Minister of Sports and NSA Director General Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, who initially denied knowledge of the suspension when he sought clarification.

Aryeetey Power’s boxing event

Aryeetey is organising a single-night professional boxing bout named “Battle of the Beasts”. The event slated for November 23 is set to feature Jacob Dickson vs. Haruna Mohammed at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Accra.

About Bahubali’s death

Some reports suggest that doctors have confirmed Akushey died from internal bleeding and malaria.

Reports from James Town TV and Africabox Showup indicate that Ernest Akushey passed away on Tuesday, September 23, after being rushed to LEKMA Hospital following complaints of unspecified symptoms on Monday.The symptoms are said to have worsened, and around 2 am the following day, he was confirmed dead.

Bahubali's death comes barely a week after he suffered a thrashing defeat in a bout with rising opponent Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena, which took place on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

Fans braved early morning rain to attend the event at Bukom Boxing Arena, which was part of the “Monaco – The Night To Prove” boxing showcase.

According to reports, the bout appeared to have favoured Akishey’s opponent as he dominated right from the beginning until he clinched his victory when the final bell rang with an eighth-round technical knockout (TKO).

Widely circulated videos of the fight showed Akushey struggling under relentless pressure, sparking sympathy among fans even before the tragic news of his death.

Consequently, many have speculated that the heavy punches he received during his last fight might have caused him some internal injuries, which have led to his death. However, the family has presented no official autopsy report to support this claim.

A video which was trending on social media after Akushey’s death captures former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey talking to Ernest “Bahubali” Akushey after the bout with Dickson. It was about time he decided, as he wasn’t fit enough to continue in the sport, which warned him of imminent health problems.

“Bahubali, it's about time that you made a decision. I have told you to stop boxing. The reason I told you that is because I know you feed from boxing. I don't know when you started fighting, but up to where you have gotten to now. But you need to make a decision and know what you're doing because those small punches in the games, and you're falling. You're going to many wars, and you might not realise the effects today, but in the future, when you grow,” he warned.

According to reports, Akushey collapsed after his bout with Dickson, with many speculating that their bout was a mismatch and a one-sided affair, given the dominance of Akushey’s opponent right from the start tothe finish.

Akushey, who rose through the ranks at the Wadada Gym in James Town, was once an undefeated prospect with a 6-0-0 record.

He earned his “Bahubali” moniker from his ferocious, crowd-pleasing style, likened to the warrior hero in the Indian blockbuster film.

“Bahubali’s” death marks the second case at Bukom. The first death linked to Bukom was that of a Nigerian, Segun "Success" Olanrewaju, who died after collapsing in the ring in the middle of a professional bout with a Ghanaian opponent, Jon Mbanug, at Fight Night 15 of the Ghana Professional Boxing League.

The tragic incident occurred on Saturday night, March 29, at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, where the 40-year-old fighter Olanrewaju, a former holder of both the Nigerian and West African light-heavyweight titles, had been putting on a strong performance before suddenly losing consciousness mid-fight.

Spectators and officials watched in horror as medical personnel rushed in to provide emergency assistance.

A widely shared video of the match shows the moment he collapsed, leaving fans and members of the boxing community in shock.

Meanwhile, three months after Success' death, President Mahama's son, Sharaf Mahama, in partnership with Sharaf-led sports management company, Legacy Rise Sports, successfully organised a boxing tournament - Battle of the Beasts at the Bukom Sporting Arena.

At a press conference held at the Multichoice Office in Achimota, Mr Mahama expressed his commitment to giving Ghanaian boxers the global exposure they deserve.

He commended all the foreign boxers who travelled to Ghana to be part of the event and extended gratitude to the sponsors and partners who are making the night possible.

Renowned trainer Coach Ofori Asare of Wisdom Boxing Gym highlighted the importance of fair officiating, especially in the highly anticipated bout between his fighter, Theo Allotey (aka Lopez), and Daniel Selassie Gorsh, who will be defending his WBO Africa Bantamweight title.

Asare described Allotey as a seasoned fighter whose experience and transition from amateur to professional ranks make him the right contender for the title.

“Boxing is not about trash talk—it’s about delivering in the ring,” Asare said, adding that his fighters are ready to impress fans with dominant performances.

Also on the card, Haruna Mohammed (aka Thunder) was to defend his National Cruiserweight Title against Abdulai Ahmed from Fit Square Gym.

Coach Carl Lokko of Bronx Boxing Club emphasised his gym’s reputation as the “house of champions,” stating that although his boxers often miss out on amateur national team selections, they consistently shine at the professional level.

In his brief but confident remarks, reigning WBO Africa champion Daniel Gorsh promised fireworks, declaring, “On the D-day, we shall see who is who.”

The main attraction of the night will see Ghana’s Jacob Dickson (aka The Beast) face off against American fighter Andrew Tabiti (also nicknamed The Beast) in a fierce contest for the WBC Africa Bridgerweight Title—a bout that has sparked major excitement among fans.

Another fan-favourite clash featured Abubakar Kamoko (aka Bukom Tilapia), son of the legendary Bukom Banku, taking on Stephen Ackon in an energetic, powerful, and passionate clash.