Looking Back at Tough Boxer Alex “Ali” Baba
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By Daniel Sisneros
Accra Ghana’s Alex “Ali” Baba made his Professional Debut on April 10, 1993 in his home country, and scored a 3rd round technical knockout over Tetteh Bonaparte beginning a pro career that would span 16 years.
He campaigned in Ghana, and by his 6th pro fight, he fought for and won the vacant African Boxing Union Flyweight Title with an 8th round tko over highly regarded Nigerian prospect Bashiru Thompson (8-1, 5 ko).
3 fights later he was facing England’s Harry Woods (8-1-2, 4 ko) for the vacant WBC International Flyweight Title. He took his second Title belt via 12 round decision. He would go on to make 4 successful defenses of that title, and never lost it in the ring.
Baba decided to move to the USA to further his career, and planted his self in Florida. He won 4 straight before he took his first pro defeat in 2000 via 8 round decision loss to Panama’s Leopoldo Arrocha. He picked up with 2 straight wins incuding a 3rd round tko over WBC Title challenger Javier Varguez to set up his first World Title Challenge.
Baba traveled to Thailand and challenged defending WBC Flyweight Champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (41-2, 23 ko). It was a good action bout, but when the Champion suffered a cut due to an accidental 4th round head butt, the bout was stopped and went to the scorecards giving the victory to the Thai World Champion.
It didn’t get any easier as Alex faced undefeated WBA World Champion & former U.S. Olympian “Little Hands of Steel” – Eric Morel (30-0, 17 ko) in Caguas, Puerto Rico. Baba dropped a lopsided unanimous decision in the non-title bout.
“Ali” Baba returned to to Ghana to regroup, and he added 3 more impressive wins to his ledger, building his record to 21-3, 16 ko’s. He was world ranked and got the call to move up a weight class and challenge Mexico’s Ricardo “Chapo” Vargas (35-9-3, 11 ko’s) for his NABF Bantamweight Title. This started a 4 fight losing streak, which ended with an 8 round draw against former World Champion Danny Romero on the undercard of Felix Trinidad/Winky Wright in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After 2 more losses including a very tough decision loss to former Texas State Champion Gabe Elizondo (18-1, 8 ko’s), he would get a big win against former NABF Champion and World Title Challenger – Miguel “Maikito” Martinez by 2nd round tko.
He earned the chance to challenge NABO champion Antonio Escalante (12-1, 7 ko) for the Title, but was stopped at the end of round 9 in a spirited bout. He bounced back with a good win against Jose German Cruz (16-4-1, 13 ko) via clear cut unanimous decision over 10 rounds.
That victory led to one last world title shot for the vacant IBA Bantamweight Title against Cecilio Santos (20-7-2, 12 ko). Baba dropped a unanimous decision to Santos, but bounced back with 3 straight wins including a landslide unanimous decision victory to claim the IBA Americas Bantamweight Title Belt. That would be Baba’s last pro boxing win.
He went out like the true champion he was, losing his last 5 bouts to high level opponents with a combined record of 99-10-7, including his final bout which was an 8th round tko stoppage at the hands of former World Champion Clarence “Bones” Adams (43-6-4, 19 ko) at the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Alex Baba ended his pro career with a record of: 26 wins, 16 losses, 1 Draw and 19 wins by knockout. An outstanding record in a career that lasted 16 years! Baba was well skilled, all heart and accomplished much, making Ghanaian boxing fans so proud.
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