David 'Poison' Kotey

David 'Poison' Kotey

The powerfully built Featherweight from Ghana.

The 24 year-old came to California as a complete 'unknown' with a record of
29-2-2 {18 KO's} compiled in Africa.

Snuck into the 'The Forum' on September 20, 1975 - 'floored' Ruben Olivares in the
1st-Round, and pounded away, taking away the WBC Featherweight Championship
from Ruben Olivares by a 15-Round Split-Decision.

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In front of 7861 pro-Olivares fans at 'The Forum'.

The 5' 7 1/2" tall, 126 lb. 24 1/2 year-old David 'Poison' Kotey of Ghana.

Landed a hard left-hook on Champion - Ruben Olivares in the 1st-Round, depositing
the Champion on the canvas.

Over the next 6-Rounds, both fighters stood toe-to-toe, in an old-fashioned slugfest.
But suprisingly, the little known Ghanan Featherweight slowly started to take control
over the experienced 'knockout specialist'.

From Rounds 7 thru 12, Kotey landed solid punches on the ever-driving Champion, piling
up a points lead. During Round 12, Kotey accidentally butted Olivares, causing a cut
over the Champions left eye.

Over the last 3-Rounds, Olivares made an attempt to swing the bout, as he gave
everything he had with a two-fisted attack.

Scorecards;
Referee, Rudy Jordan...............145-144 (Ruben Olivares)
Judge, Dick Young...................143-142 (David Kotey)
Judge, Chuck Hassett...............144-143 (David Kotey)

Depending on who you talked to, the decision was 'disputed', though many
'neutral observers' felt that David Kotey had won by a score of 144-142.

 

A Hero's welcome for D.K. 'Poison' Kotey

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After winning the WBC Featherweight Championship in September 1975,
David 'Poison' Kotey was supposed to make the 'first defense' of his
Championship versus Shig Fukuyama on December 21, 1975

But contractual problems could not be corrected.

So 'Poison' took a non-title bout versus 'tough' California Featherweight
David Sotello 38-12-2 (16 KO's) in Accra, Ghana.

Poison won a 'very close' 10-Round Decision in front of 30,000 Ghana fans.

And David received a fight purse of $20,000.
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On the other hand -

Bobby Chacon had a tune-up bout on November 18, 1975 and won by stopping (KO 5) Fel Clemente.

But, he foolishly took another one on December 7, 1975 in Baja, California versus Rafael 'Bazooka' Limon,
and lost an 'upset' 10-Round Decision.

There went the David Kotey versus Bobby Chacon Championship Fight.

 

By February 1976,

The David 'Poison' Kotey vs. Bobby 'Schoolboy' Chacon WBC Featherweight Championship was done,,,,,,,

Bobby Chacon had eaten his way out of the 126 lb. Divison, and was fighting above 130 lbs.

David Kotey 31-2-2 (18 KO's) then took on Japanese Featherweight Champion - 'The Mighty' Flipper Uehara 16-2-1 (6 KO's).

On March 6, 1976, and in front of 60,000 fans in Acra, Ghana.

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R/T,


WBC Featherweights (August 1975)
*** Ruben Olivares
#1 - Alexis Arguello
#2 - David Kotey
#3 - Bobby Chacon
#4 - Royal Kobayashi
#5 - Octavio Gomez
#6 - Art Hafey
#7 - Rosalio Muro
#8 - Elio Cotena
#9 - Vicente Blanco
#10 -Fel Clemente

 

R/T,

David Kotey was 'a little known' Featherweight from Ghana.

Prior to fighting Ruben Olivares in September 1975 -

He was the Featherweight Champion of the African Union Boxing, and also
won the British-Commonwealth Championship.

The 24 year-old David Kotey compiled a record of 29-2-2 (18 KO's).

His connections were, that his brother Daniel Kotey (Kotei) was a Ghana representative
at the United Nations.

Despite incorrect reporting, Ruben Olivares received a fight purse of $80,000 for that
Championship Bout, and David Kotey received $7500 - plus $1500 in expenses.

David 'Poison' Kotey was supposed to be nothing more than a 'tune-up title defense'
for Ruben, who was supposed to fight Bobby Chacon in a rematch in December 1975.

After returning to Ghana, David 'Poison' Kotey was given a National Hero's Welcome,
and the Ghanan Government gave him an estate in Teshie-Nungua.

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R/T,

Shig Fukuyama was supposed to fight David Kotey in December 1975, but that bout was pushed back to 1976.

In David 'Poison' Kotey in his 'first title defense' - scored a (TKO 12) over Japanese Featherweight Champion
and #10 WBC-ranked - Flipper Uehara 16-2-1 (6 KO's).

The Champion used his powerful left hand to take control of the bout immediately, rocking his opponent
back into the ropes. The Challenger battled back in Rounds 4, 6 and 7, by landing hard hooks to the body
of the Champion.

But, by Round 10, it was apparent that David Kotey was too strong, as the Ghanan pounded Uehara
without taking a return punch. In Round 11, Uehara had swollen eyes, and was having a hard time
defending himself. In Round 12, Kotey pounded a near defenseless 'Flipper' all over the ring.
The Referee called a halt to the bout at the end of Round 12.

It goes down as a TKO 12 for the Champion, who received a fight purse of $30,000.

 

WBC Featherweight Champion, David 'Poison' Kotey of Accra, Ghana -

Will make the '2nd-Defense' of his title in Tokyo, Japan in July 1976.

The 25 year-old Champion 32-2-2 (19 KO's) will be defending his Championship
versus #3 WBC-ranked - Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama 38-11-3 (28 KO's).

These boys were supposed to fight in December 1975 in Osaka, Japan - but
both Featherweights were too far above the 126 lb. weight limit, and the bout was
cancelled.

The 26 year-old Fukuyama has won '8' of his last '9' bouts, with all of the wins coming
by the knockout. Included, was an 'upset' TKO 8 over Top-ranked Danny 'Little Red' Lopez in September 1974.

The Champion, David Kotey is to receive a fight purse of $30,000.

 

July 16, 1976

Korakuen Hall - Tokyo, Japan

'David Kotey Scores 3rd Round Knockout'

WBC Featherweight Champion - David Kotey successfully defended his championship for the
'second time' by demolishing Japan's Shigefumi 'Shig' Fukuyama at 0:21 of the 3rd-Round.

The 26 year-old Champion from Accra, Ghana took his time in the 1st-Round, as the shorter
27 year-old Fukuyama was aggressive in attacking the 5' 7 1/2" Champion.

In Round 2, Kotey sustained a cut right eye, as Fukuyama landed a glancing left hook and
a follow up straight right-hand. But the Champion retaliated with a vicious flurry, capped by a
big right-hook which dropped the Japanese Challenger. The Champion went on an 'all-out' assault
after the 'dazed' Challenger got up, and scored with a volley of lefts and rights, and then floored
the Challenger again with a right-hook. Fukuyama got up at the 9-Count, favoring his left leg, which
he injured in his fall to the canvas.The Referee - Harry Gibbs allowed the bout to continue.

Moments into Round 3, the Champion bombed away, and 'unleashed' a flurry, and dropped Fukuyama
again with a hard right hook. Referee Harry Gibbs immediately called a halt to the bout at 0:21 of Round 3.

David 'Poison' Kotey improved his record to 33-2-2 (20 KO's). Shig Fukuyama drops to 38-12-3 (28 KO's).

The Champion received a fight purse of $45,000. The Challenger received $15,000.

David Kotey, 'I was too strong for Shig. He took too much punishment, and the Referee was correct
in stopping the fight.'

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Saturday Night - November 6, 1976

Accra Sports Stadium - Accra, Ghana

Attendance; 122,000

WBC Featherweight Championship

WBC Champion - David 'Poison' Kotey 33-2-2 (20 KO's)
vs
#1 WBC Challenger - Danny 'Little Red' Lopez 31-3-0 (30 KO's)

The bout was was to start at Midnight. The high heat of 105 degrees in the day of
Ghana had cooled to 90 degrees by fight time.

The Champion would enter the ring in a Ghanan Warrior Robe and Headress, to the beat of
thousands of 'tribal drums'.

The 26 year-old Champion, was fighting before a massive overflow crowd at the
Accra Sports Stadium. The 5' 7 1/2" Champion came in at the 126 lb. limit, and was
bringing with him good boxing skills, and swift combination punching.

The 24 year-old Challenger from California, also at 5' 7 1/2" and 126 lbs., had a 71" long
reach, which would give him a 2" advantage. Lopez carried with him tremendous
punching power and a willingness to slug it out. But Danny also brought with him
a porous defense, as he could be hit with virtually anything that was thrown at him.

Before the bout started, The Ghana Government called a 'communications black-out',
preventing any transmission of this fight to outside news outlets.

The Fight

The Champion wasted no time, and immediately attacked 'Little Red' by trying to take
advantage of his slow start and porous defense. Kotey used his fast combinations, as
he bounced punches off of Danny's chin, rocking him back on his heels several times
in the opening Round.

In Round 2, Kotey battered the Challenger with a two-fisted barrage, and had Lopez
pinned against the ropes, as 'Little Red' appeared stunned. Kotey pounded away with
several right-hand bombs to the chin of Lopez, who amazingly stood up to the hammer
type punches.

In Rounds 3 and 4, Kotey landed brutal right-hands that stunned the Challenger. But each
time, Lopez would dig in and fire back with his own good right hands.

Through 4-Rounds, Kotey was still in front of Lopez, and continued to bang away at the
Challenger.

In Round 5, Lopez started to score with his hard left hooks to the body, and straight right hands
to the head. Kotey, who many had expected to use his fantastic boxing skills, had turned 'slugger'
and was walking into Lopez' punches.

In Round 6, Lopez started to come on, and he landed hard counter punches, which slowed
the offense of the Champion down. A right-hand by Lopez cut the left eye of the Champion,
and by the end of the round, the Champion looked a bit weary after taking some hard punches
to the head.

In Round 7, Danny 'Little Red' started to come on strong, and nailed the Champion with several
'devastating' right hands to the mouth, which caused blood to flow. Lopez dominated the round,
and the fight was now 'Even' on the scorecards. The Champion returned to his corner with a
severely split lower-lip.

In Rounds 8 and 9 - Lopez maintained the pressure, and was the effective aggressor as he
continued to back up the Champion, and land hard punches. The Champion showing incredible
courage, absorbed heavy punches but still found enough strength to fire back with right hands.

In Round 10, the Champion mounted an offense, and rallied with a flurry of solid punches that
shook Lopez. Kotey had the Sports Stadium fans in a 'frenzy' as he rallied, but Lopez dug in
in the last 20-seconds and scored with his own solid punches, as the Champion began to fade
over the last moments of the round.

Round 11, Lopez went out and scored with two hard right hands, which had the Champion on
wobbling legs. A Lopez right hand stunned Kotey, and Lopez followed up with a right-left that
floored the Champion. Kotey got up at the 9-Count, and was met by a 'ramapaging' Lopez, who
battered him and opened cuts over both of the Champion's eyes. The Champion returned to his
corner bleeding from cuts over both eyes, and blood oozing from his mouth.

After 11-Rounds, the fight was still 'too close to call'.

In the all important Round 12, Kotey opened up with a flurry, trying to match Lopez punch-for-punch,
but by the mid-way point Lopez took over and battered the weary Champion, and had him dazed at
the bell.

In Round 13, the Challenger unloaded and battered the Champion, who was now bleeding from cuts
over both his eyes, and oozing blood from his mouth. With about 50-seconds left in the round, the
bell ran early, saving the Champion.

After the Round, Referee - Harry Gibbs went to the Champion's corner to have him checked by the
ringside physician, who permitted the bout to continue. Also a ripped glove was found on the Champion,
and an additional 2-minutes was allowed to replace the glove.

In Round 14, the recovery did not help Kotey, as Lopez ripped away without a return. Lopez buckled
the Champion's legs, but Kotey would not fall, and hung on despite getting battered throughout the
entire round. Again the bell rang early, ending the round approximately 40-seconds too early.

In the 'Final Round', David Kotey after taking a battering in the previous rounds which had him near
done, amazingly comes out fast, and scores with a volley of hard lefts and rights that shake Danny Lopez.
But after 30-seconds, Danny digs in and charges ahead with straight left-rights to
the Champion's head, pushing him backwards.

Lopez dominates the second-hald of the round, as the Champion shows tremendous courage in hanging
on until the final bell.

As per reports, Rounds 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 were cut short in time, as Danny Lopez had the Champion pinned
with his back against the ropes and in 'bad shape'.

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez was awarded a Unanimous 15-Round Decision.

The Associated Press scored the bout 146-139 (10-4-1 in Rounds) for Danny Lopez.

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Saturday Night - November 6, 1976

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez 'upset' Champion David 'Poison' Kotey in
Accra, Ghana - to win the WBC Featherweight Championship.

The 'new' Champion spent the next day in hospital, recupperating
from a brutal '15-Round Battle', a puffy right eye, as well as severe cuts
inside his mouth and a swollen jaw.

The 'ex' Champion, David Kotey was also in the hospital, as he suffered from
exhaustion, cuts over both eyes that required 20-stitches, a severely cut
lower-lip that required 17-stitches, and a battered head and body.

Due to a 'communications black-out' in Ghana, results of Danny's
victory were not reported until 'two-days later' Monday, November 8th.

Danny Lopez arrived home 4-days later on Wednesday, November 10th,
to inform his family, friends and fans that he had won the WBC Championship.

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Both David 'Poison' Kotey and Danny 'Little Red' Lopez received excellent
fight purses for their exciting bout on November 6, 1976 in Accra, Ghana.

Though the attendance was listed as 122,000 at the Sports Stadium, an
additional 20,000 could net get the Sports Stadium inside to watch the bout.

The Champion, Kotey received $100,000.

Danny 'Little Red' Lopez received $50,000.

After the bout, the new WBC Champion (Danny Lopez) complained that the
conditions at the Hotel in Accra were 'second-rate', the food was horrible, and
the facilites at the Stadium were poorly maintained.

But, he praised the Ghanan people for their appreciation and courtesy.

 

David 'Poison' Kotey had tremendous heart, and was a physically gifted
boxer-puncher.

DK took an amazing amount of punishment in that bout, especially
in Rounds 7, 11 and 13 and 14.

A lesser man would have quit after having his lower lip split open in
Round 7.

DK Posion, almost had 'Little Red" gone in Round 2, several big right-hands
had Danny 'rocking-and-rolling'.
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Following the loss to Danny Lopez on November 6, 1976

In February 1977, Daniel Kotey (the ex Champion's brother and Manager) offered
Howard Steindler (Danny Lopez' Manager) $85,000 plus $5000 in expenses to come
back to Accra, Ghana - to give David 'Poison' Kotey a rematch.

David Kotey had an option on Lopez' first title defense, with an 'final' date of
February 6, 1977 (90-days after their title fight on November 6, 1976).

But David Kotey needed nearly 6-months to recover. And came back in April 1977, and
bounced back with '4-straight' wins with,

April 30, 1977.........KO 5.........Billy Wade
July 30, 1977.........W Dec 15...Laurent Bazie
October 3, 1977.....W Dec 10...Jose Resto
December 4, 1977...KO 3.........Victor Diaz

The victory over Laurent Bazie, was for the African Boxing Union
Featherweight Championship.

By February 1978 - David 'Poison' Kotey 37-3-2 (22 KO's) was next up for
WBC Featherweight Champion - Danny 'Little Red' Lopez.

 

R/T,

David 'Poison' Kotey was the #1 WBC Featherweight when he fought the rematch
with Danny 'Little Red' Lopez on Febraury 15, 1978.

The bout was Nationally Televised, on the undercard of the Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks I
Heavyweight Championshio in Las Vegas.

David 'DK Poison' Kotey, was a powerfully built 5 '7 1/2" boxer-puncher, with a great
left jab, and a variety of right hand punches (uppercut, cross and hook). Besides a
good offense, he had tremendous courage and he was very resilient.