WHERE IS GHANA PROFESSIONAL BOXING HEADED?

Ghana has boasted of some of the best professional boxers in history and that has earned Ghana some respect when it comes to the sports. From world title contenders to winners and history makers, Pro. Azumah Nelson, D. K. Poison, Ike Quartey, Joshua Clottey, Joseph Agbeko, amongst others, but the recent trailing of Ghanaian professional boxers raises concerns about the future and sustainability of the sports.

There has been many speculations about training and other factors that play a role in recent fall of Ghanaian professional boxers that raises the series of questions.

Richard ‘Oblitey’ Commey who made name for himself after carrying the flag of Ghana high had a fallout with the GBA stating reasons why he didn’t see the need to give the authority a percentage of his winnings as they contributed nothing to the success. That aside, Commey has lost two out of his last three fights drawing one. In as much as his conditioning looked okay for the fight, something seems to go wrong when in the ring.

Mohammed Wasiru, another fierce opponent who I personally tipped to be a world title contender after making his return to boxing after his long break seems to be lacking the composure and tenacity. Mohammed Wasiru after his win against Michael Akramah Tetteh at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra went on to face Kaine Fourie in South Africa and lost.

These fights are the least talked of looking at the promising career of Isaac Dogboe come to an end after series of career threating looses.

Recently, many professional boxers from Ghana have suffered similar defeats and that needs to be studied. It is not the case of fighting outside of weight and jurisdiction but the stamina to go all the way.

Elvis Ahorgah went into a fight after three (3) wins and looked more confident just as should be from a competitor but lost the title fight tot Callum Simpson at the Wembley Arena when he as defeated by way of a round 5 TKO.

It is not that Ghanaian boxers lack the fitness or power to go the distant but mentally and psychologically how are they prepared?. These ring walks used to scare other boxers but not in this age. Winning or losing in boxing still fills your purse on the global stage but winning keeps you demanding when and where to be.

Promoters might be after the purse but as a boxer your career is on the line, keep loosing and no promoter would want to work with you but rather move to the next name reigning.