US promoter urges Ghana to prioritise amateur boxing

American boxing promoter Eric Davis has called on Ghana to place greater emphasis on its amateur boxing programme as a crucial step towards producing more world champions.

Speaking at the “Uplifting Ghana Boxing” seminar held in Accra on Wednesday, 26 April, Davis of Davis Boxing Promotions highlighted a trend of talented Ghanaian fighters turning professional prematurely.

“I watch a lot of Ghana boxing,” Davis stated during the seminar. “And what I noticed about Ghana boxing is I always feel like you guys are not focusing on your amateur programme.”

He elaborated, suggesting that allowing boxers to develop fully within the amateur ranks before transitioning to the professional circuit could significantly impact Ghana’s success in securing world titles.

“I’m just thinking that it’s just economics but I feel like if you concentrate a lot on your amateurs and then let your amateurs be true amateurs and then go to that next level in professional fighting, boxing. I think that you would see a different outcome when it comes to how many champions Ghana would produce,” he asserted.

“I just think that you guys need to focus on your amateur programme because I think that a lot of fighters, a lot of boxers, are prematurely turning pro.”

Davis reiterated his point, stressing that the perceived rush to professional status among many Ghanaian boxers could be hindering their long-term development and chances of becoming world-class fighters.

Dr. Ofori Asare, the head trainer for Ghana’s national boxing team, the Black Bombers, acknowledged Mr Davis’s observations and provided context regarding the challenges faced.

“When you look at the way we are in Ghana, very small, you can see so many things about us but even our boxers, getting them to the Olympics, getting them to qualify, getting them to the Commonwealth Games,” Dr. Asare explained. 

“All this is money – no money syndrome, no money syndrome, no money syndrome. It’s a very difficult situation.”

He further elaborated on the difficult decisions faced by young boxers. “So some of them, they may be good in the middle way, but they can’t wait. Because what are they waiting for? Because when they wait, they will not get a chance.”

Dr. Asare emphasised the importance of achieving consistent success at the amateur level. “If we are getting good results, we will not complain about some are rushing to professional because they are rushing everywhere.”

“So the point is, we must make sure we work very hard to get results and when we get results, those who are rushing they will be there, but we will get our results as well.”

Davis’s comments have ignited discussion within the Ghanaian boxing fraternity, highlighting the delicate balance between nurturing amateur talent and the economic realities that often push fighters towards professional careers.

The focus now shifts to exploring potential strategies and investments that can strengthen Ghana’s amateur boxing programme and pave the way for a new generation of world champions.