Bukom Banku

Bukom Banku, born Isaac Braimah Kamoko, is a Ghanaian professional boxer from Bukom in Accra, the neighbourhood at the heart of Ghanaian boxing. He won WBO Africa titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, went unbeaten in his first 28 professional fights, and became as well known for his trash talk as for his punching. His record stands at 29 wins, 21 by knockout, and one loss.

Amateur career

Kamoko was born in Accra on 17 August 1980. As an amateur heavyweight he won a bronze medal for Ghana at the 1999 All-Africa Games in Johannesburg.

Professional titles

He won the WBO Africa light heavyweight title in 2011 and moved up to take the WBO Africa cruiserweight title in 2012. Over his career he has boxed at weights from light heavyweight to super heavyweight.

Ayittey Powers

His rivalry with fellow Accra boxer Ayittey Powers drew some of the biggest crowds Ghanaian boxing had seen in years, with much of the build-up played out on radio and television. In their rematch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi on 26 December 2015, Powers failed to come out for the sixth round, and Banku took the win to go to 27-0.

First defeat

On 21 October 2017, at the Bukom Boxing Arena, Banku lost his unbeaten record when Bastie Samir stopped him in the seventh round. He returned in September 2019 to beat Rojhat Bilgetekin of Germany in the third round in Bradford, England. In November 2019 Ghana's boxing authorities revoked his licence for breaching a rematch contract with Box Office Promotions.

Television and family

In May 2020 he launched Bukom Banku Live, his own show on GhOne TV. He has twelve children; his son Abubakar Kamoko also boxes.