Uplifting Ghana Boxing seminar focuses on future champions

Ghana’s boxing fraternity gathered in Accra this week to address key issues facing the sport and chart a course towards producing future world champions.

The “Uplifting Ghana Boxing” seminar, organised by Ace Power Promotions, took place on Wednesday, March 26, at the Mudor Conference Centre within the Trust Sports Emporium.

The well-attended event brought together a who’s who of Ghanaian boxing, including Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) President Abraham Kotei Neequaye and Dr. Ofori Asare, head trainer of the national boxing team, the Black Bombers.

Prominent promoters such as Alex Ntiamoah of Box Office Sports Promotions also joined former world champions Joseph Agbeko, Isaac Dogboe, and Richard Commey, highlighting the unified approach to strengthening the nation’s boxing landscape.

The seminar also welcomed international expertise, with speakers including Eric Davis of Davis Boxing Promotions, Gabriel Blinder, CEO of Critical Sports & Entertainment, and renowned trainer Andre Rozier, who guided Richard Commey to his IBF lightweight title. Their presence underscored the global interest in Ghana’s boxing potential.

Dr. Adae Opoku Amoako, CEO of Ace Power Promotions, expressed his satisfaction with the seminar’s success.

“The guys who are not Americans really have a deep love for Ghana,” he said. “It made the presentation very smooth and then our audience, including Coach Asare and other people, were asking very thoughtful questions that can help all of us learn.”

Discussions throughout the day covered a range of crucial topics, from effective promotion and fair contracts to officiating standards and athlete health. However, a central theme emerged: Ghana’s current absence of a reigning world champion.

Dr. Amoako acknowledged this point but remained optimistic about the future. “We get opportunities,” he stated, referencing boxers competing in the UK, across Africa, and in Europe. However, he stressed the need for improvements at the domestic level.

“I don’t know if the gyms have sat down and thought about it – that, hey guys, why is it that when our boxers go out, they do not perform?” Dr. Amoako challenged.

“I think it’s because they don’t test themselves at home. Now, I mean, you can be the best of the best in Ghana but may not be the best out there, but at least test yourself so that when you go out there, you prove yourself.”

“When our fighters go out there, you know it; you can tell a vast difference between them and their opponents, and I think we need to test ourselves at home, do the right things before we go out there, and very soon we should see results.”

The “Uplifting Ghana Boxing” seminar served as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration, signalling a renewed commitment within the Ghanaian boxing community to nurture talent and ultimately reclaim its place among the world’s boxing elite.

The insights shared and the challenges discussed are expected to pave the way for concrete actions aimed at strengthening the sport from the grassroots level up to the international arena.