In the super-lightweight division, a young man is determined for success and wants it right away.
On Friday, Africanus Kotey Neequaye (10-0, 8 KOs) observed from the stands while Jerry
Lartey (9-0-1, 5 KOs)6 successfully retained his WBA Africa title against Sheriff Quaye.
However, while many celebrated Lartey’s win, Africanus was solely focused on his next target.
The 23-year-old boxer has maintained a perfect record, winning all 10 of his fights. He is also the reigning national super lightweight champion, having earned the belt by stopping
Daniel Quaye in the sixth round at the beginning of the year.
At eight years old, Africanus began boxing at the Sea View Boxing Gym. He did not see boxing as a way to avoid school; instead he pursued it while finishing his secondary
education at Labone SHS.
Following a period with the national amateur boxing team, Neequaye began his professional career in 2023.
He is now aiming for a world title, and he sees Jerry Lartey as another obstacle in his pursuit of that goal.
Following Lartey’s victory, Africanus Neequaye stated his “urgent need” to compete against Lartey for the WBA Africa title.
Africanus is confident in his ability to rise to the challenge and dethrone Jerry Lartey.
A look at the records of both men shows that Lartey has competed in 9 fights, whereas Africanus has had 10.
However, when you consider Lartey’s rank as a Lance Corporal in the Ghana Armed Forces, his record takes on a different perspective. Lartey juggles his boxing career and his military service.
In 2025, he secured the WBA Africa title following a closely contested fight against UK’s Jessie Brandon. With his title successfully defended, Lartey will look forward to bigger fights.
However, should the opportunity arise, Neequaye and Lartey could go head-to-head in a boxing ring.
Africanus fights with a dynamic and flashy approach, seeking the knockout whenever it’s possible. Lartey typically prefers to outpoint his opponents, strategically breaking them down and asserting his dominance in his bouts.
With Africanus having fought in January, both individuals now have one fight under their belts for the year. They might fight sometime in the middle or at the end of the year, depending on the landscape then.