BUKOM FIST of FURY

Black Bombers To Be Re - Constituted
As Ghana prepares for up coming international sporting assignments like the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games and African Games in 2023 which our cherished nation will host, there seems to be no current standing national boxing team with the requisite exposure, experience to excel.
After the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the sole Bronze medalist, Samuel Takyi aka ‘The Ring Warrior’ announced his movement into the professional ranks.
Also skipper Suleimanu Tetteh who won and lost one fight at the Olympic Games in Japan may decide to do other things since serving the national amateur boxing team for almost a decade is worthwhile.
Shakur Samed, the African Games 2019 Bronze medalist who lost his first and only bout in Tokyo 2020 has not yet disclosed whether to stay in the amateur division or go pro.
With the election of a new leadership for the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF), and Mr. Ben Quartey taking the enviable office as President, new ideas and policies may come up, hoping for better management / administration and more medals for the nation at international Games.
Since the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil where only one boxer, Abdul Wahid Omar represented Ghana and came home empty handed, the nation has won one Bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 in Australia by Jessie Lartey.
Our female boxers are also doing well, by training hard daily to chance upon an opportunity to showcase what they can do.
Often times they are allotted few slots, but USA based Ornella Sathoud proved they are capable when she won Bronze at the 2020 Olympic Qualifier in Dakar, Senegal, but could not make it to the Olympic Games proper.
Other girls like Faruza Osman, Sarah Apew, Ramatu Quaye, Rahman Ablorh, Manteaw Trudy, Priscilla Toffah are still training, but they lack motivation, and they can quit any time they feel like.
The Bukom Fist of Fury Amateur Boxing League seems to be put on the shelve, but I advise that it should be return to keep the amateur boxers in shape, active and ready.
Indeed the new executive of the GBF has a lot to do to equal or maintain the winning standard set by their predecessors.
GOC Board member and SWAG Sports administrator of the year 2021, Mr. George Lamptey who lost his presidential position is seeking an International Boxing Association (IBA) post and that would be good for Ghana if he wins, because the nation and continent needs representation at that international level.
Amateur Boxing has always been the backbone and hope of the nation at international meets, so Yours Truly want to plead with the new executive of the GBF with the support of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) and National Sports Authority (NSA) to be smart and plan well, taking the right directions and decisions at the right times, to ensure that they win more medals at Birmingham 2022 and Accra 2023, to make a smooth way for Paris 2024 Olympic Games .
As I write this piece, the new Black Bombers team is yet to be constituted, and they need to be camped and engaged in training programmes before the main events..
I hear there would an Individual Open to select new boxers and a National Championship, the date, I do not know yet, but I want to advise that it is always better to prepare and plan on time, if you want to be the best.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Profile: Akotoku Academy (Home of Boxing Champions)
The Akotoku Boxing Academy was founded in 1974 by the late Francis Attuquaye Clottey. The gym has produced legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David “Poison” Kotey Hector Clottey, Judas Clottey, Kpakpo Allotey and late Alfred Kotey.
The founder Attuquaye Clottey was a cherished boxer in Ghana who became a champion trainer upon retirement. He was the lead coach of the Black Bombers, the national amateur boxing squad.
Akotoku, was once upon a time, the best gym Ghana having its own boxing’s history and records.
Akotoku has been the home of four-time African champion “Flash” lbole lssaka, two-time continental titlist Kpapko Allotey, national champion Daniel Allotey, “Thunder” Clottey, two-time Mortein league champion Herbert Quartey, and Godfred Sowah among others have all come through the ranks of the training base.
After the demise of Coach Clottey, Daniel Okoe Odamtten, trainer of former WBA champion “Bazooka” Quartey took over. He did his best to sustain and maintain the facility before leaving for the USA for greener pastures.
“It’s been long since we produced a world champion for Ghana which has really affected our pedigree as an elite gym in the country but we are working hard on that,” said trainer Noah Awatey who is currently in charge together with Emmanuel Abbey and Elvis Robertson who are trying to groom and inspire the next generation of champions.
Technical Director, Theo Edwin Addo is in Australia, and his staff are committed to producing another world champion by 2025, according to coach Noah Awatey.
Currently in 2021, Akotoku Academy boasts of 28 boxers, made up of seven professionals, 14 amateurs, five juveniles and two females.
The popular names in the gym are experienced professional Justice Addy, the undefeated Prince Octopus Dzanie (21-0) who represented Ghana at the 2008 Olympic Games, Shakur Samed who just qualified for Tokyo 2020, Junior Olympian Alfred Kotey, young enterprising Mike Nelson aka ‘Mayweather’ and new sensation Issif Seidu (3-0).
Coach Robertson told Yours Truly, their major problem is a roof or pavilion to train under when it rains, and modern boxing equipment, including gloves, head gear etc.
“We have the talents, but lack the training tools, so we will appreciate if someone comes to our aid. We also wish some of our ex champions could pay us visits to encourage and motivate the young boxers” he added.
He expressed that the boxing trainer lack many things and wish the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) will organize frequent refresher courses for coaches, referees and other ring officials.
He commended the administration of the GBA President, Lawyer Peter Zwennes and Mr. George Lamptey who leads the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) for their efforts in putting Ghana boxing at its enviable position as the sport with many world champions for Ghana.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Third Ghanaian Boxer Shakul Samed gets Tokyo Olympic nod
Ghanaian light heavyweight boxer Shakul Samed has been granted the nod to become the third boxer from Ghana to qualify to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
According to Coach Ofori Asare, his qualification was based on the Boxing Task Force (BTF) rankings released in February which ranked him 10th in the world and 3rd in Africa.
The experience coach said if all goes well three more boxers can make it. He named Ornella the female boxer, Jessie Lartey and Wahid Omar as they are also rated among the best on the continent.
The reigning SWAG Amateur Boxer of the year who hails from a boxing family joins skipper / flyweight boxer Sulemanu Tetteh and sensational Samuel Takyi, a featherweight boxer, to have qualified for the Games scheduled for July this year.
Shakul is the younger brother of Bastir and Issah Samir, both members of national boxing team, Black Bombers, who represented Ghana at the Beijing Olympic Game in 2008.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

‘One Bullet’ Ansah Stops ‘One Time’ Quaye To Retain National Lightweight Title
National Lightweight Champion, Michael Ansah retained his belt when he stopped challenger, Sherrif Quaye aka One Time in the early hours of Sunday at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
Ansah, coming from the Charles Quartey Foundation Gym did not find his rhythm until the fifth round when his combination hooks caught Quaye was behind on the cards from round one.
Hard working Referee Erasmus Owoo did very well to end the fight on realizing the Quaye was wobbling and could not stand on his feet after going down.
Some fans who besieged the ring thought ‘One Time’ coached by Carl Lokko of the Bronx Gym was doing well, but ‘One Bullet’ had his own plan of a knock out as he predicted at the Presser and the weigh in.
Ansah, who is heading for a Commonwealth title as promised by Box Office Promotions now has 19 fights, 11 knock-outs, and two defeats, while Quaye’ record is also 20 fights with two defeats all coming from ‘One Bullet’ and 12 knockouts.
In other bouts of the 14 exciting features, Robert Quaye aka ‘Stopper’ who could not fight for the IBF Africa title as his South African opponent failed to turn up due to Covid -19 restrictions increased his unbeaten record to19 stopping a last minute sub Raymond Kofi Ansah in R3, while Alfred Lamptey, the Bukom Bomber won the West Africa Featherweight title belt after knocking experienced George Krampa in R4.
John Laryea, aka ‘Exprnsive Boxer’ defended his national featherweight crown by fourth-round TKO over Kamarudeen Boyefio.
Daniel Aduku had it very tough but won over journeyman Naimou Samson in R7 of their super welterweight fight.
Nigeria’s Olanrewaju Durodola knocked out Taryel Jafarov of Kazakhstan in R2 of an international middleweight contest.
Daniel Gosh, one of the darling boxers from the Bronx Gym stopped Isaac Okine in R2 of their bantamweight bout.
Improving Holy Dogbetor beat Edward Kambassah via a R2 TKO in their featherweight clash.
Black Panthers new pro. Michael Abban stopped Benjamin Sackey in R2.
Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie thrilled boxing fans at the Independence Day Trilogy with an exhibition show.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie Named Brand Ambassador For Spar Bar Company In USA
Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie is now a Brand ambassador for Spar Bar company in the USA.
The company that deals in boxing equipment has added Prince ‘The Buzz’ to its top stars which include Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Manny Pacquiao and others.
Prince The Buzz: is the only African boxer in the pack, and his dad who doubles as trainer is very happy.
He prayed that the company will look beyond to support the Will Power Boxing Gym at James Town in Accra.
Prince ‘The Buzz’ Larbie, 8 was voted 2020 Best Juvenile Boxer by the Boxing Writers Association Ghana.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Passion of boxing makes Attoh Quarshie Gym dream live on
"No Pain, No Guts, No Wits, No Will, No Gain, No Glory" -these are what makes Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym boxers special.
Founded in 1981, the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym is one of the most respected and honored gyms in Accra, Ghana when it comes to training and grooming of talented boxers.
They made history by winning the maiden Mortein Boxing League in Ghana with Kotey Ashie receiving the Best Boxer Award.
The founding fathers are the late veteran politician Attoh Quashie (owner) and international boxing referee and judge Robert Teddy Lamptey (Head Trainer), men of vision and passion for boxing.
The popular gym located at James Town at the City Engineers premise has transformed the likes of Charles Adamu, James Toney, Anyetei Laryea and Joseph Agbeko under the late coach Dzanie Kotey aka ‘Alloway’ who left the gym in the charge of young enterprising Vincent Akai Nettey.
Currently they boast of four coaches taking care of 54 boxers.
The major challenges of the gym are financial and equipment to train, says Akai Nettey.
Some of the popular boxers who have made names in recent times are former IBF Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, George Ashie, Obodai Sai, Emmanuel Martey, Isaac Sackey, Samuel Yaw Addo, Akimos Annan Appiah and David Bawa.
With no sponsors they find it difficult but cope with the situation, however they will embrace sponsorship in any form if it is possible and positive.
Current head coach Vincent Akai Nettey is motivated by the passion for boxing and he believes that he can create more world champions for Ghana.
The breakdown of boxers at Attoh Quarshie is 12 Professionals, 20 Amateurs and 22 Juvenile boxers.
Coach Akai Nettey said the future is with the young boxers and they have time for the kids.
His message to boxing fans is to thank them for being with them to this far, and encouraged them to continue to support the gym and the boxers every time.
He expressed that the doors of Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym are open to corporate bodies to come and support.
He thanked the media and recommended the formation of the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) as it will go a long way to promote Ghana Boxing.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation Gym out to change lives of boxers
The Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation Gym is one of the best boxing clubs and gymnasiums in Accra, Ghana .
Like many boxing gyms, it is located in the heart of the city - Bukom, James Town where the best, durable and most admired and respected boxers hail.
For the management, discipline is very important to the success of any boxer and the ensure it to the best.
The popular professional boxers at Charles Quartey are Micheal Ansah aka 'One Bullet', Joshua Oluwaseun Wahab, Mohammed Fuseini, Jacob Tetteh Laryea and Iddrissa Amadu. The mission is to produce champions in Ghana, Africa and the world.
Currently there are 20 amateur boxers and many juvenile boxers.
Charles Quartey Foundation Gym boasts of 15 professional boxers boxers.
The gym is headed by coach Charles Quartey, an ex boxer turned trainer and manager. He says boxing is a noble profession and wants to use it to change lives and the community.
He expressed that boxers are role mode and stars who many people look up to for inspiration.
The assistant coaches are Bernard Charles Tetteh Nartey Prince Amoah Asiedu . Ernest A. Ofori Emmanuel Obodai Laryea5.Robert and Robert Doe with Gym Manager David Doe working very hard to meet their set standards.
They believe the sky is the limit as they dedicate themselves to the gym in unity and love.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

GBA Notify Stakeholders To Renew Licenses
The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has called on stakeholders including boxers, managers, promoters, referees, match makers, bell men, agents, medics, ring marshals, ring announcers among others to immediately renew their licenses.
According to a statement signed Mr. Patrick Johnson General Secretary of the GBA, existing licenses expired as at December 31st, 2020, therefore an urgent need to get a new one.
“As such all licensees are required to apply to the Ghana Boxing Authority for renewal for their licenses by submitting their application to the GBA Secretariat at the Bukom Boxing Arena for approval by the end of 31st March 2021.
“Any previous license holder who does not acquire a valid one issued or renewed by the GBA shall not be permitted to take part or officiate in any contest, promotion or event held under the jurisdiction of the GBA, ” the statement said.
It added that disqualified persons cannot also undertake all administrative functions of the GBA which includes the issuances of letters for foreign travels.
From Sammy Heywood Okine

Sports Journalists Schooled On Combat Jiu Jitsu, Grappling And Self Defence
The Professional Combat Sports Association of Ghana in association with the Jiu Jitsu Federation of Ghana on Saturday, January 23, 2021 organized a Combat Jiu Jitsu Referees and Judges course which was attended by sports journalists at the Will Power Gym at James Town in Accra.
Participants were taken through the basics and foundation of the art, as well as scoring and opportunities in the sport.
Technical Director, Maxwell Borquaye was supported by fighters Malik Adjei and Ismael Lamptey in the demonstrations. The second Dan Black Belt Karateka said he trains regularly daily and having knowledge of basic self defence ideas is very good.
He disclosed that Ghana has been selected alongside Egypt out of 13 nations to represent Africa at the World Combat Jiu Jitsu Championship in Ukraine in May.
There was a Grappling Officiating course earlier on the day, before the self-defence training which some Journalists took part.
Mr. Evans Bernie Johnson, PRO of the Professional Combat Sports Association appeal to corporate Ghana to support the least financed sports like Grappling and they will see their investments yielding positive results.
He said combat sport is exciting and entertaining on television so the media must take up the challenge to promote the sports and inform the public accurately on events.
Bernie Johnson who is also the president of the Grappling Association thanked the media who attended and promise to organse a second phase of the courses.
Present at the event were executives of the association, Mr. Gabriel Akosah, Elizabeth Tetteh, Bernice Adutwumwaa and others.
By Sammy Heywood Okine

Kenya targets sending more boxers to 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games
Kenya is looking to send more boxers to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Games as the team intensifies its preparations ahead of the qualification round in Paris in June.
The boxing team, popularly known as the “Hit Squad”, is currently undergoing training in Nairobi with an aim of getting more slots compared to the three the country secured in the 2016 Rio Games.
In Rio, welterweight Rayton Okwiri, flyweight Peter Mungai Warui, and bantamweight Benson Gicharu were Kenya’s representatives and were eliminated in the qualification rounds.
So far only two boxers have secured tickets to the Tokyo Games – Nick Okoth, 37, and Christine Ongare, 26, both were victorious at the continental qualifications in Dakar, Senegal last year.
The country will be sending more boxers to battle it out in Paris where 35 spots will be up for grabs.
Welterweight boxers Boniface Mogunde and Elizabeth Akinyi hope the advanced training the team is undergoing will increase their chances of qualification.
“Previously we were doing a lot of training to an extent we could even overtrain which in the long run was in some way affecting our fitness,” said Mugande in a statement released by the National Olympics Committee on Thursday.
Akinyi, a semifinal loser in Senegal, said she is confident that the changing of her training program will enable her to get desirable results in France.
“There have been changes in our training because, in the past, I would just practice randomly, but now we train specifically for the competition ahead,” she added. Enditem,
By xinhuanet.com

GOC President Motivates 2020 Olympic Games Bound boxer Samuel Takyi
Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, President of the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has advised featherweight boxer, Samuel Takyi to be focused on his mission to win an Olympic Gold medal for Ghana.
At a special meeting with the budding boxer to celebrate his 20th birthday, the President showered him with some gifts for the yuletide and urged him to train harder than ever so that he can make himself, his family and the nation proud.
Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ defeated the African number one Morocco and two from Uganda at the Olympic Qualifier in Dakar, Senegal which was his first trip outside Ghana and he exceled.
Though he was unknown and not rated, he surprised all with his marvelous talent and won the bronze to qualify to Tokyo after losing to the African number 4 from Zambia, in the semi finals.
He expressed that he has learnt a lot in the international amateur system, and hopes to beat every opposition to grab the ultimate in his next tournament.
“I am maturing and learning a lot from my coaches and people who advise me like the GOC President. I am very happy on my birthday, and glad to celebrate with him. I am going for the ultimate in Tokyo, which is the gold” he said.
Mt. Ben Nunoo Mensah hinted that preparation is key and important in addition to the zeal to win. He promised that efforts are being made for the Black Bombers to train in Cuba before the 2020 Olympic Games.
He tipped the boxers and weight lifters as medal prospects for Ghana.
By Sammy Heywood Okine