Ghana’s rising boxing star, Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, delivered a commanding performance to stop Namibia’s Jonas Erastus in the seventh round and secure the WBA super flyweight title.
Allotey showcased his class and precision as he headlined Sharaf Mahama’s Legacy Rise Promotions event, themed “Rise Continues”, held at the Bukom Boxing Arena on Friday, April 10.
Nicknamed “Theo Lopez”, the unbeaten Allotey (14-0, 10 KOs) asserted his dominance early in the contest, troubling Erastus with sharp counter uppercuts from the opening bell. However, the Ghanaian suffered a cut over his right eyebrow following a clash of heads in the second round.
Despite the setback, Allotey remained composed and relentless, dictating the pace with speed and power. He repeatedly punished Erastus whenever the Namibian attempted to engage, unleashing rapid combinations that kept his opponent on the back foot.
Erastus (10-2, 2 KOs), 27, started brightly but struggled to maintain momentum. Although he landed a few decent shots in the third and fourth rounds, he failed to sustain the pressure against the technically superior Allotey.
“I want to say that Theophilus is a good boxer and I respect him,” Erastus admitted after the fight. “Our game plan didn’t work. I tried to adjust, but he had all the answers. We will come back stronger.”
The fight turned decisively in the sixth round when Allotey increased the intensity, mixing his attacks with greater variation. Erastus began to show signs of fatigue, with visible swelling around his left eye.
Sensing the opportunity, Allotey stepped up the pressure in the seventh round, landing a clean right hand followed by a flurry of unanswered punches that forced referee Roger Banor to step in and halt the contest, sparing Erastus further punishment.
Reflecting on his strategy, Allotey said: “The plan was to use the jab and catch him on the counter, and it worked perfectly.”
He added: “It hasn’t been easy over the past four months since winning the WBO Global title. It’s been hard work, but we are ready for a world title shot. We’ll return to the gym and prepare ourselves.”
With this impressive victory, Allotey continues his rapid rise in the super flyweight division. He is currently ranked 11th by The Ring Magazine, and 13th by both the WBO and IBF, underlining his growing status among the division’s elite.
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