Ghana’s sole medalist (bronze) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, Jessie Lartey, has expressed disappointment over the lack of recognition and celebration he has received since his achievement. The former Black Bomber, now a Sergeant with the Ghana Prisons Service, shared his sentiments during an exclusive interview at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

“Boxing is my life. I believe I’m a super-talented and skillful boxer, but after the 2018 Commonwealth Games, things didn’t go as I expected,” Lartey said.

Despite his challenges, the spirited sportsman remains optimistic. “I should have turned professional a long time ago, but I felt I had to help my country. Even though it hasn’t worked out as I hoped, I haven’t lost hope because I believe all is not lost,” he added.

A past SWAG Award winner, Lartey lamented the lack of public recognition. “When I go to public places, people don’t recognize or know me, and it makes me feel bad,” he admitted.

On the causes, he attributed blame to both the media and the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF). “I blame the media and the federation. They need to work together to appreciate and promote boxing and boxers.”

Discussing the state of Ghanaian boxing and the nation’s absence from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lartey described the situation as dire. “Ghana should have improved upon the Tokyo 2020 achievement. The preparation was poor—there was no proper camping, attention, or supervision. As youth grow, they get different ideas, so the team needed better care.”

Now a professional boxer with an unbeaten record of five bouts, including three knockouts, Lartey is eager to take on bigger fights. He appealed to boxing promoters and managers for opportunities, citing his dream of becoming a world champion. “My idol is Professor Azumah Nelson. I want to prove that after him, Ghana has produced many great boxers.”

Lartey commended the Ghana Prisons Service for supporting his participation in the Ghana Professional Boxing League and other international competitions. He also praised his trainers and the Prisons Sports Office for their encouragement.

While acknowledging challenges within amateur boxing, Lartey noted positive developments in professional boxing through initiatives like the Ghana Professional Boxing League.

“Boxing fans should expect something big from Jessie Lartey. I want to be immortalized as one of Ghana’s great boxers,” he declared.

Jessie Lartey is set to feature on the November 22 event titled “Ghana Elections: Night of Boxing and Entertainment,” organized by SEM Promotions and Freezy Macbones Promotions. Coming from a boxing family, his elder brother, Jerry Lartey of the Ghana Armed Forces, is also a boxer, both trained under Ace Coach Lartekwei Lartey at the Fit Square Boxing Gym