In the sport of Boxing, Ghana has been a formidable bastion and doyen in Africa and the world at large. From the days of David Kotei Poison to “latter day saints” like Richard Commey and Isaac Dogboe, the West African nation has churned out ten world champions from flyweight to welterweight.
Boxers like James Armah (Bukom Fire), Kofi Jantuah, Ben (Wonder) Tackie, Love Pappoe, Floyd Klutei Robertson among many others have once challenged for world titles.
Albeit for close to half a decade now, Ghana has not had a world champion. Many of the prospects who were tipped to bring glory have flopped due to several factors including managerial and promotional quandaries, personal issues and sheer lack of adequate preparation as was the case when Duke Micah attempted to wrestle Filipino John Riel Casimero for the WBO Bantamweight strap, Patrick Allotey against Jaime Munguia, Habib Ahmed versus Gilberto Ramirez and Maxwell Awuku against Miguel Berchelt.
In the bouts listed, our boys would have clinched the straps had they been better prepared.
The current breed of boxers however provide rays of hope and this year a world beater is likely to emerge out of Ghana: Isaac Dogboe has a date with Robeisy Ramirez for the WBO Featherweight Championship, Richard Commey has a high profile match up with Jose Ramirez.
Sena Agbeko is ranked 15 by the WBC and could be on the verge of something big, in a weight category that includes Canelo Alvarez – the Super Middleweight Division.
Patrick Allotey, George Ashie, John Abaja Laryea, Alfred Lamptey and Holy Dorgbetor are also highly rated by various sanctioning bodies.
If the right strategies are employed, explosive and exciting Charles Tetteh, Mohammed Aryeetey, Jacob Dickson and Akai Nettey could have a crack at the ultimate before the year comes to a close.
Our surest bet, however, is the “Royal Storm” Isaac Dogboe.
BY SAM NANA GOLD