Boxing in Ghana has been thrown into chaos after a shocking video began circulating on social media showing a person slapping the lifeless body of Ernest Akushey following his death just days after his latest fight.
The 32-year-old super-middleweight’s passing has left fans, fighters, and officials stunned—and has prompted the National Sports Authority (NSA) to take the unprecedented step of suspending all boxing nationwide.
The Final Fight and Tragic End
Akushey, a rising force in Ghanaian boxing, had faced Jacob Dickson at Accra’s Bukom Boxing Arena on September 12 in a bout that promised fireworks. He was stopped in the eighth round, but what followed off the canvas would shock the boxing world.
Initially treated for malaria, doctors admitted Akushey to LEKMA Hospital in Teshie, where doctors discovered “several other issues,” according to his manager, Shatta Roco. Early on September 23, he was pronounced dead.
The Shocking Video and Public Outrage
Then came the footage. Social media users have shared a disturbing video appearing to show Akushey’s body being slapped post-mortem—a clip that has triggered outrage across Ghana and beyond. Fans have labelled the incident “disrespectful,” while insiders warn it underscores the urgent need for strict post-fight medical protocols and athlete protection.
Authorities are reportedly investigating the source of the video, though its circulation has already amplified calls for reform.
WBN refuses to publish the horrific clip.
National Sports Authority Suspends All Boxing
In a statement, the NSA confirmed the suspension of all boxing activity in consultation with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation. The statement described the move as a “necessary step to protect lives, uphold the integrity of the sport, and ensure its future.”
Officials also highlighted that the suspension coincides with the launch of a comprehensive five-year safety and development plan, overseen by a nine-member Interim Management Committee (IMC). The goal is to implement stricter medical, technical, and regulatory standards so that Ghanaian boxing can operate at a globally professional level.
A Pattern of Tragedy and Urgent Call for Reform
This tragedy marks the second death of a professional fighter in Ghana within six months. In March, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju collapsed during a fight against Jon Mbanugu in Accra and died shortly after.
The back-to-back incidents have reignited debates over safety in a sport that has historically produced legends, such as two-weight world champion Azumah Nelson.
Meanwhile, fans on social media have blasted the post-mortem video as a dark stain on Ghanaian boxing, sparking discussions about ethics, medical supervision, and accountability.
As the NSA investigates Akushey’s death and the viral video, Ghanaian boxing faces a reckoning. Fans, promoters, and athletes are demanding answers—and they want them fast. The nation’s beloved sport, long a source of pride and inspiration, now finds itself at a crossroads: reform or repeat tragedy.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.