Ghanaian boxer Seth “Freezy Macbones” Gyimah has defeated Nigeria’s Godday “Zodsolo” Appah to become the new WBO Africa light-heavyweight champion, ending Appah’s reign in a 10-round contest in Lagos.
The title fight, held on the 1st of October, 2026, as part of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations, saw Gyimah secure a unanimous points victory over the defending champion. Judges awarded the Ghanaian the decision after a competitive bout at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, presented by Ezekiel Adamu’s Balmoral Group.
Gyimah, who fights out of the UK but represents Ghana, entered the ring as the challenger against Appah, who was defending his WBO Africa light-heavyweight continental title. The fight formed the professional headline bout of the “Chaos in the Ring” event, which also featured celebrity boxing matches involving reality TV star Phyna and skit maker Carter Efe.
Reports described the main event as the night’s biggest upset, with Gyimah outboxing Appah over the distance to claim the belt. The victory marks a significant turnaround for Gyimah, who lost his WBA Africa light-heavyweight title to Jonathan “Worldwide” Tetteh in December 2025 before that belt was later stripped from Tetteh for non-defence.
No sooner had Gyimah been crowned champion than he faced a new challenge. A Nigerian boxer called him out immediately after the contest, and Gyimah accepted, agreeing to return to the ring in December. This sets up the possibility of another high-profile African title fight within months of his victory.
For Appah, the loss ends his stint as WBO Africa champion and raises questions about his next steps in the light-heavyweight division. For Gyimah, the win re-establishes him as a major force in African boxing and positions him for potential continental and world-ranking opportunities.
The result underscores the competitive depth of West African boxing, with Ghanaian and Nigerian fighters regularly contesting continental titles. Gyimah’s success, coming after a period of title losses and stripped belts for Ghanaian boxers, signals a resurgence for Ghana in the light-heavyweight ranks.
As Gyimah prepares for his next defence, attention will shift to whether he can consolidate his position as WBO Africa champion and use the title as a springboard towards higher-level international contests. For now, the belt is back in Ghanaian hands, and the regional rivalry with Nigeria’s boxing scene has been intensified.
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