David "Poison" Kotei of Ghana Defeats Mexico's David Sotelo | Non-Title Bout | Accra | December 1975

Saturday, December 20th 1975.

Footage of David "Poison" Kotei of Ghana defeating Mexican boxer David Sotelo on a 10-round points decision in a non-title bout in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

Reuters Text:

"Accra Sports Stadium in Ghana where World Featherweight Champion, Ghanaian David "Poison" Kotei had his first fight ... since winning his title last September.

"Poison" was fighting the Mexican, David Sotelo in a non-title bout. At the start "Poison" appeared to be short of fight practice and showed little of the devastating form that won him the title from former Mexican champion, Ruben Olivares, in Mexico. Sotelo began the fight as if it was a title bout ... and the Champion appeared to be surprised by the power and tenacity of the little Mexican. Even when the Champion began showing flashes of the form that defeated Olivares, the Mexican continued to take the fight right up to "Poison". Both fighters began to stand in the centre of the ring trading punches ... to the delight of the huge home crowd that roared their support for the Ghanaian champion.

"Poison" won on points but perhaps his handlers could have been disappointed with the performance, as the Ghanaian was not fighting with the same style or confidence that originally brought him the World title.

"Poison" will defend his title for the first time against the Japanese boxer, Shige Fukuyama, in Tokyo next February."

Source: Reuters News.

Note:

Jerry John Rawlings, the Ghanaian Air Force Officer, future Military & Civilian Head of State and boxing aficionado can be seen seated ringside at the 1 minute-4 second-mark. Next to him presumably is his sweetheart and future bride Nana Konadu Agyeman.

The referee is Roy Ankrah, the former British Empire Featherweight Champion.

More on David Kotei and other West African fighters at:

West African Boxers: 1940s-1970s
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