Bahubali’s Death: Prize Money Late Boxer Ernest Akushey Was Chasing Emerges
- The official autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is still pending, but reports about the prize money he was set to earn have surfaced
- At the time of his passing, the 32-year-old fighter had compiled a record of six victories and two defeats
- An interim board is set to be installed to oversee the administration of boxing in Ghana and to implement recommendations from the Amarkai Amarteifio Committee
- Ghanaian boxers earn too little for medical care, and Abeiku Aggrey Santana urges free healthcare and government support.
Ernest Akushey, popularly known as Bahubali, stepped into the Bukom Boxing Arena on September 12 with hopes of reigniting his career and earning a crucial payday.
Instead, what was meant to be his redemption night turned into a heartbreaking episode that has left Ghana’s boxing fraternity in mourning.
Source: TikTok
Ernest Akushey dies 11 days after boxing bout
The 32-year-old had built a reputation not only as a fighter but also as a social media character whose trash talk and flamboyant antics drew attention beyond the ring.
According to BoxRec, he had won six of his first seven professional bouts, yet 2025 had been unkind.
After losing to Jonathan Tetteh in May, Akushey returned just four months later to face Jacob “The Beast” Dickson in a contest that proved to be his last.
Though some accounts claimed he started strong, footage from the fight told a different story. The bout ended in a technical knockout, and Akushey never fully recovered.
Watch the bout:
Eleven days later, he passed away, with early reports suggesting his death may be linked to internal injuries sustained during the fight.
Akushey’s death has sparked renewed debate about the conditions faced by boxers in Ghana.
Industry insiders questioned the short turnaround between his May defeat and the September clash, as well as his jump to a higher weight class that may have left him at a disadvantage.
Many described the fight, including renowned journalist Godfred Akoto Boafo, as a mismatch that should never have been sanctioned.
Meanwhile, Samuel Bartels highlighted the harsh realities of Ghana’s boxing ecosystem, referencing the phrase “Atsi agbe shi” in Ga, which loosely means “push them to fall over.”
According to him, this practice creates inflated local records while leaving fighters unprepared for the international stage.
Source: TikTok
The financial pressures on athletes like Akushey only compound the risks.
How much did Bahubali earn from last fight?
Dickson, Bahubali’s final opponent, revealed that both fighters were set to receive GHS20,000 for the bout.
In an interview with UTV, he disclosed that the actual earnings boxers take home are far less impressive than many assume.
Watch the interview:
For Bahubali, the fight meant more than just the purse; it was about restoring pride and reclaiming bragging rights.
But, in the wake of Ernest Akushey’s death, all boxing activities in Ghana have been suspended, the BBC reports.
An interim board is set to be installed to oversee the administration of the sport and to implement recommendations from the Amarkai Amarteifio Committee, which was formed following the death of Nigerian pugilist Gabriel Olanrewaju just six months ago.
Poor pay leaves Ghanaian boxers unprotected
YEN.com.gh, in an interview with professional nurse and health safety awareness coach Abeiku Aggrey Santana, reports that the pay boxers in Ghana earn after a fight is not enough to cover medical checkups and treatments, an issue that must be addressed.
He said:
“The system has a lot to improve in terms of sports in Ghana. How can you pay a professional boxer such a small amount after a fight when there are no proper medical checkups for him? Imagine he has to buy his own medicine, and he also has a wife and kids to support. Hmmm. I think there should be more sponsors and free medical treatment for these professional boxers, with the academies bearing the cost. Again, the government should fund and regulate this sport since it is dangerous.”
British boxer dies after announcing dramatic return
In another heartbreaking development, YEN.com.gh reported that British boxing legend Ricky Hatton passed away at the age of 46, just weeks after announcing his dramatic return to the ring.
The former world champion was discovered at his home in Greater Manchester this morning, where police have since cordoned off the area.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
