By Bockarie Allieu
Sierra Leonean heavyweight boxers Abu Bakarr Katta (Target) and Alusine Mansaray (Tommy Lee) are set for a highly anticipated rematch against British fighters John DP Shaw and Ginge in Birmingham on December 8, 2024. The rematch comes after the two Sierra Leoneans narrowly lost to the British fighters during the “Commotion in the Ocean” event earlier this year in Freetown.
In the initial bout, Tommy Lee faced off against Ginge in a closely contested fight, with Ginge winning by a 2-1 judges’ decision. Abu Bakarr Katta, on the other hand, lost to John Shaw by unanimous decision. Both fights were intense, but neither ended in a knockout, prompting the British fighters to call for a rematch in their hometown.
During their visit to Sierra Leone, the British boxers, along with officials from the Sierra Leone Boxing Association (SLBA), met with the President of the National Olympic Committee (NOC), where they discussed the upcoming rematch and plans for a Western Area Championship in Freetown. The NOC President encouraged the Sierra Leonean boxers to perform at their best and make the nation proud in Birmingham.
SLBA Secretary-General Alhaji Komba also updated the NOC President on other international engagements, including two Sierra Leonean boxers competing in Kinshasa and three youth boxers preparing for the World Youth Championship in Montenegro.
The British fighters will remain in Sierra Leone until they witness the East vs. West boxing championship before departing for Birmingham.
