The wait is finally over. After months of heated verbal exchanges and near-misses, arch-rivals Sampson “Mama’s Boy” Segbedzi and Henry “Assassin Junior” Malm have officially signed on the dotted line. They will finally settle their long-running feud in the main event of the much-anticipated “Best of Bukom 3” on May 8, 2026, at the iconic Bukom Boxing Arena .
The showdown, promoted by Dave Bishop’s Bishop Boxing Promotions, was initially scheduled for Good Friday but was pushed back out of respect for Ramadan and to ensure peak physical condition for the gladiators . Promoter Dave Bishop assured fans that the delay only adds to the inferno. “Ensuring our competitors can perform at their best is a fundamental responsibility… their health and well-being take precedence over scheduling,” Bishop stated. “Expect the same high-calibre matchups” .
The headline welterweight collision is a genuine pick’em fight. Segbedzi (27), the pride of Ashaiman and current National Welterweight Champion, enters the lion’s den of Bukom looking to silence his critics. Despite suffering his first professional defeat last December, “Mama’s Boy” remains one of Ghana’s most skilled tacticians . Standing in his way is the undefeated Malm (26), a former amateur star for the Black Bombers who has transitioned terrifyingly well to the pros. With a record of 11-0 (10 KOs), “Junior Assassin” has promised nothing less than a statement victory in front of his hometown faithful .
A Card Fit for Champions
While the main event steals the headlines, the supporting cast reads like a “who’s who” of Ghanaian boxing royalty.
In a significant chief support bout, Ghana’s Faisal “Poncho Power” Abubakari puts his WBO Africa junior welterweight title on the line against dangerous Nigerian contender Azeez Lateef Damilare. It is a stern test for Abubakari against a former West African champion looking to cause an upset on Ghanaian soil .
Additionally, fan favorite Majid Yakubu—who recently joined the BBP stable—faces a tough international test against Benin’s Ghislain Vodounhessi. Vodounhessi, a veteran with 25 wins to his name, represents a significant step-up for the rising star Yakubu .
The undercard promises fireworks as well, featuring the always-entertaining Wasiru “Gyatabi” Mohammed, who takes on Charles Tetteh, while Emmanuel Mawuli steps into the ring against Moses Adjei Selvi, a super-bantamweight known for his high knockout ratio .
The Bukom Revival
“Best of Bukom 3” arrives at a pivotal moment for the sport in Ghana. With the Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC) currently overseeing the sport ahead of June elections, the event is a test case for the new safety protocols implemented following tragedies in 2025 .
Promoter Dave Bishop, recently enstooled as a development chief in Ghana, views this event as more than just a fight night. “This isn’t just about boxing—it’s about nation-building,” Bishop has previously stated, aiming to use the series as a vehicle to lift young fighters out of poverty .
With tickets expected to be reasonably priced and the atmosphere in the Bukom Arena known to be electric, May 8 is shaping up to be a date circled on every sports fan’s calendar. The resurrection, as Bishop calls it, is coming .
Tentative Fight Card:
· Welterweight: Sampson Segbedzi vs. Henry Malm
· WBO Africa Jr. Welterweight: Faisal Abubakari (c) vs. Azeez Lateef Damilare (Nigeria)
· Lightweight: Majid Yakubu vs. Ghislain Vodounhessi (Benin)
· Bout: Wasiruu Mohammed vs. Charles Tetteh
· Super Bantamweight: Emmanuel Mawuli vs. Moses Adjei Selvi
