DK Poison (L) defeated Rubén Olivares 50 years ago
On September 20, 1975, David Kotei, popularly known as DK Poison, made history in Inglewood, California, by defeating Mexico’s Rubén Olivares on a split points decision, after 15 rounds, to become Ghana’s first world boxing champion.
The victory, achieved at The Forum, earned him the WBC featherweight title and a permanent place in the nation’s sporting record.
Kotei’s path to the top began under trainer Attuquaye Clottey. He turned professional in 1966 with a debut win in Accra, later becoming national featherweight champion that same year.
After fighting briefly in Togo in 1967, he spent the next few years building his career at home. In 1972, he ventured abroad, fighting seven times in Australia and winning five of the bouts.
His breakthrough came in February 1974 when he captured the African featherweight crown by knocking out Tunisia’s Tahar Ben Hassen in the first round. That December, he added the Commonwealth featherweight title to his closet by defeating Britain’s Evan Armstrong in ten rounds, paving the way for his world title shot.
We can’t conclude that Bahubali’s death was caused by boxing – Mohammed Amin Lamptey
Following his world triumph in 1975, the Ghanaian government honoured him with an estate house at Teshie-Nungua, in Accra. However, his reign was short-lived.
On November 6, 1976, he lost the world title in Accra to American Danny “Little Red” Lopez in a unanimous points decision.
Around the same period, he lent the Acheampong government $45,000 from a $75,000 purse earned in Japan against Shig Fukuyama to support the procurement of commodities during the economic difficulties of the time.
Kotei attempted a comeback in 1978 but failed to recapture either the world or Commonwealth featherweight belts. His career gradually faded, ending in 1989 with a loss in an African lightweight title fight.
Watch video of the fight below:
FKA/AE
Meanwhile, watch interviews with Bahubali’s twin sister and promoter below
