War in Bukom: Segbedzi and Malm Finally Set to Settle the Score on May 8

The long wait is almost over. After months of fierce verbal exchanges, rising tension and repeated delays, bitter rivals Sampson “Mama’s Boy” Segbedzi and Henry “Assassin Junior” Malm are finally set to meet in the ring.

The two fighters have officially signed contracts for the headline bout of the highly anticipated Best of Bukom 3, scheduled for 8 May 2026 at the famous Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.

Promoted by Dave Bishop’s Bishop Boxing Promotions, the contest was originally pencilled in for Good Friday but was postponed out of respect for Ramadan and to allow both boxers to reach peak condition.

Bishop explained that the delay was made in the best interests of the fighters.

“Ensuring our competitors can perform at their best is a fundamental responsibility. Their health and well-being must always come first,” he said.

He also assured supporters that the revised date would only increase anticipation for what promises to be an explosive night of boxing.

A Genuine Grudge Match

The main event, contested at welterweight, has all the ingredients of a classic showdown.

Segbedzi, 27, hails from Ashaiman and enters the bout as the reigning National Welterweight Champion. Despite suffering the first defeat of his professional career in December, he remains highly regarded for his technical skill, ring intelligence and ability to adapt under pressure.

Standing opposite him will be the unbeaten Malm, 26, a former amateur standout with Ghana’s Black Bombers. Since turning professional, Malm has quickly built a fearsome reputation, compiling an impressive record of 11 wins, no defeats, with 10 knockouts.

Fighting in front of his home crowd in Bukom, Malm has vowed to deliver a statement victory, while Segbedzi is determined to prove he still belongs among Ghana’s elite.

Strong Supporting Card

While the headline fight has captured attention, the undercard is stacked with quality contests featuring some of the finest names in West African boxing.

In the chief support bout, Ghana’s Faisal “Poncho Power” Abubakari will defend his WBO Africa junior welterweight title against dangerous Nigerian challenger Azeez Lateef Damilare. The visitor arrives with a strong reputation and will be eager to upset the champion on Ghanaian soil.

Elsewhere, crowd favourite Majid Yakubu, who recently joined the Bishop Boxing Promotions stable, faces a major test against experienced Beninois boxer Ghislain Vodounhessi. With 25 victories to his name, Vodounhessi represents a significant step up for the ambitious Yakubu.

Fans can also expect fireworks when the ever-entertaining Wasiru “Gyatabi” Mohammed takes on Charles Tetteh.

Another intriguing clash sees Emmanuel Mawuli face heavy-hitting Moses Adjei Selvi in the super bantamweight division.

More Than Just a Fight Night

Best of Bukom 3 comes at an important time for Ghanaian boxing. With the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) currently overseeing the sport ahead of elections in June, the event will serve as a key test of new safety measures introduced after the tragedies that affected the sport in 2025.

For promoter Dave Bishop, however, the occasion goes beyond titles and rivalries. He has consistently spoken of boxing as a tool for social change and youth empowerment.

“This isn’t just about boxing – it’s about nation-building,” Bishop has said previously.

His vision for the Best of Bukom series is to create opportunities for young fighters and help transform lives through sport.

Bukom Ready for Another Big Night

With affordable ticket prices expected and the atmosphere at Bukom Boxing Arena renowned for its passion and intensity, 8 May is already shaping up to be one of the biggest nights on Ghana’s sporting calendar.

The rivalry is real, the stakes are high, and Bukom is ready for war.

Tentative Fight Card

Welterweight: Sampson Segbedzi vs Henry Malm

WBO Africa Junior Welterweight Title: Faisal Abubakari (c) vs Azeez Lateef Damilare

Lightweight: Majid Yakubu vs Ghislain Vodounhessi

Super Featherweight: Wasiru Mohammed vs Charles Tetteh

Super Bantamweight: Emmanuel Mawuli vs Moses Adjei Selvi

About The Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

See author's posts