The World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA), the only African-based world sanctioning body, is set to honour Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson with a special championship belt dedicated in his name.
The newly instituted Azumah Nelson Champion Emeritus title will be contested on Easter Saturday, 4 April 2026, in the Featherweight and Super Featherweight divisions. The initiative forms part of WABA’s broader vision to nurture talent and further develop the sport across the continent and beyond.
With this recognition, Professor Nelson becomes only the second boxer to receive such an honour from WABA. The first was Zimbabwe’s Charles Manyuchi, in whose name the Charles Manyuchi Champion Emeritus belt was established, commemorating his status as WABA’s first world middleweight champion.
Speaking ahead of the event, ace matchmaker Rashid Williams, popularly known as “Believer”, revealed that the grand ceremony will take place at the Aborigines Beach Resort in Keta in the Volta Region. He noted that all boxers scheduled on the bill have been in intensive preparation since the announcement of the championship.
Promoter Mitch Gilbert Wooollams has secured the exclusive rights to stage Ghana’s inaugural WABA vacant Supreme Championships and is reportedly leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a memorable showpiece.
In one of the headline bouts, Benin’s Justin Hounkpevi will face Ghana’s Abubak Mubarak for the vacant WABA Supreme World Super Middleweight title. Meanwhile, Michael Pappoe and Ezekiel Annan will square off for the vacant WABA Supreme Prof Azumah Nelson Champion Emeritus World Super Featherweight Championship — a contest designed to honour Africa’s celebrated two-weight world champion.
The event will be overseen by WABA President, Hon. Ky Col Onesmo Alfred McBride Ngowi, who is expected to attend alongside Professor Nelson, promoter Wooollams and several distinguished guests from the boxing fraternity.
Professor Nelson remains one of Africa’s most decorated fighters, having reigned as a two-time world champion in both the Featherweight and Super Featherweight divisions, cementing his legacy as one of the continent’s greatest sporting icons.