The boxing fraternity in Ghana has been plunged into mourning following the death of Ernest Akushey popularly known as Bahubali.
The boxer passed away in the early hours of Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, just eleven days after suffering a punishing technical knockout defeat to Jacob Dickson at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
His death has reopened painful conversations about the health and welfare of fighters in Ghana.
But beyond that, the details of his final hours, as recounted by his twin sister, Naa Akweley, reveal a desperate struggle that relied first on faith and spiritual intervention before medical help was sought.
Bahubali’s twin sister reveals circumstances surrounding his death
According to her, the ordeal began when Bahubali’s wife rushed to inform her that something was terribly wrong.
But instead of taking him to a hospital, the family sought spiritual help from multiple pastors before finally rushing the boxer to the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.
“I was in Accra trying to take a nap after smoking fish when his wife came running to me. She said my brother was not in a good state, so we rushed to his room. He wasn’t waking up when she called him. I got scared. We brought him out and took him to a church. The pastor prayed for him, and he got better,” she recalled.
The pastor had also directed them to proceed to the hospital, but instead of heading straight there, as advised, the family made another stop.
“The pastor told us to take him to Korle Bu, but I said no, I was taking him to another pastor in Teshie. They also prayed for him, and again, he looked better. But soon after, my brother started shrinking. I called the pastor again and begged him to come,” she added.”
Only then did they arrange transport to Korle Bu, where Bahubali was placed on oxygen.
For a brief moment, it seemed like he would recover. But while his sister tried to rest, tragedy struck.
“One of our sisters woke me up asking if I couldn’t see that my brother was being covered with a cloth. I jumped, started hitting his chest, calling him to wake up, but he didn’t. My brother did not wake up,” she further stated.
Bahubali’s death has sparked mourning across Chorkor and beyond, but his sister’s testimony adds another layer to the tragedy.
FKA/JE
Meanwhile, watch interviews with Bahubali’s twin sister and promoter below
