by Silas Boahene | Aug 5, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Promotions, believes the Ghanaian boxing industry holds significant potential to boost the country’s economy and transform lives, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Speaking as a special guest on Omashi TV’s “The Big Fight Night,” Boakye shared his journey, including his involvement in compiling the constitution of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) before its adoption by stakeholders at a congress. Born in Ga Mashie, Accra, to a Kwahu father and an Ewe mother, Boakye has deep roots in the capital and understands its diverse lifestyles.
In 2008, Boakye and his friends founded Box Office in James Town, aiming to address the lack of boxing bouts despite active training. Their ambition to host international bouts in Ghana led to the creation of champions like Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe, with support from Asamoah Gyan’s Baby Jet Promotions.
“Ghana is known as the Mecca of African Boxing, and we should maintain it,” Boakye asserted, acknowledging the high costs and financial risks involved in boxing promotion. He emphasized that boxing generates employment for various professionals, including medical personnel, media, security, and more, and called for support from corporate Ghana and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, especially for amateur boxing.
Boakye highlighted his contributions to local boxing, particularly through the annual Homowo Boxing Championship, which nurtures juvenile and youth talent. He announced the next edition of the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing competition on August 17, 2024, with elections for new executives slated for September.
Advising fans to maintain decorum during matches, Boakye stressed the importance of accepting defeat gracefully. He attributed his successful promotions to understanding and delivering what fans want.
Boakye acknowledged leadership challenges in Ghanaian boxing and expressed his intention to run for leadership in the upcoming elections, aiming to reform the sport with his expertise. He praised Omashi TV for promoting boxing in a language accessible to fans and expressed optimism for the future of Ghanaian boxing, highlighting the need for positive direction and commitment to nurturing talent and creating new champions.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 5, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Ghana, International
Abdul-Rasheed Saminu overcame initial nerves from the crowd at the Stade de France to reach the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics. Reflecting on his performance, Saminu said he felt nervous running alongside Marcell Jacobs but is thankful to have made it to the semi-finals.
Benjamin Azamati faced a challenging lineup in the 100m semi-finals, competing against top sprinters such as Noah Lyles, Eseme, Oblique Seville, and two African sprinters, Ashe and Eseme. Both Azamati and Saminu have shown impressive performances, establishing themselves among the world’s best at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 5, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International, USA
Joseph Awinongya Jr., the celebrated 21-time national boxing champion and current Team USA standout, has officially announced his intention to compete for gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. At just 17 years old, Awinongya Jr. has already made a significant impact in the boxing world, earning the title of the great American hope for USA boxing.
Driven by an unwavering passion and dedication, Awinongya Jr. began his boxing journey at a young age. His exceptional talent and hard work have propelled him to the forefront of amateur boxing, with numerous national titles underscoring his prowess in the ring. As he prepares for the 2028 Olympics, he is more determined than ever to bring home gold for the United States.
“I am honored and excited to represent my country at the 2028 Olympics,” said Awinongya Jr. “This is a dream come true, and I am committed to giving my all to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a gold medal. I want to inspire young athletes everywhere to pursue their dreams with dedication and perseverance. I also want to congratulate the incredible athletes who have already achieved gold, especially Simone Biles, whose performances have set the bar for excellence and inspired us all.”
Awinongya Jr. closely watched the 2024 Olympics, studying the performances of his fellow Team USA boxers such as Roscoe Hill, Omari Jones, Jamal Harvey, and Joshua Edwards, and was deeply inspired by their dedication and skill. Additionally, witnessing the historic achievements of Simone Biles in gymnastics reaffirmed his belief in the power of perseverance and excellence.
The city of Joliet, known as the “City of Champions,” has rallied behind Awinongya Jr.’s Olympic quest. Mayor Terry D’Arcy, who has been closely following Awinongya Jr.’s journey on YouTube, expressed his excitement about the news. “Joseph’s determination and success are a source of immense pride for Joliet. I am thrilled to buy my ticket to Los Angeles and support him as he strives for gold in 2028. His achievements reflect the champion spirit of our city,” said Mayor D’Arcy.
Awinongya Jr.’s decision to aim for Olympic gold has garnered significant attention and support from fans, fellow athletes, and the boxing community at large. His impressive track record and relentless drive make him a standout contender for the upcoming games.
As part of his preparation, Awinongya Jr. will continue to train rigorously, participating in international competitions and sparring with top-tier athletes to sharpen his skills. His journey to the Olympics will be closely followed by fans and media alike, eager to witness his rise to the pinnacle of boxing glory.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 5, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana
Sensational welterweight boxer George Faho Mensah is quickly establishing himself as one of the top talents on the local scene. Representing Panix and managed by SP Management, Mensah delivered a stunning performance on Saturday, August 3, 2024, by stopping Raymond Kofi Ansah in the second round of their bout during the Bel 7 Star Ghana Professional Boxing League at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Mensah, 24, displayed remarkable skill and power, overwhelming his taller opponent Ansah to the delight of the boxing fans in attendance. With this victory, Mensah’s record now stands at 7-1-0. He expressed his gratitude to the fans for their encouragement and support.
Mr. Samuel Darkwah, a partner at SP Management, congratulated Mensah on his victory and encouraged him to maintain his discipline, noting that his future in boxing looks very promising.
The event also featured other exciting bouts during the second week of the third edition of the seven star sponsored professional boxing league, promoted by Imax Boxing Promotions with the support of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).
by Silas Boahene | Aug 5, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Europe, International
Cape Verde’s boxing sensation David Pina and Morocco’s world champion Khadija Mardi are Africa’s top hopes for medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Pina, after scoring an upset victory over Zambia’s Africa flyweight king Patrick Chinyemba, lost on points to Uzbekistan’s world champion Hasanboy Dusmatov in the flyweight semi-finals, securing a bronze medal for Africa.
Meanwhile, Khadija Mardi is set to battle Australia’s world silver medallist Catlin Parker, keeping hopes high for another African medal.
Pina, 28, has been in outstanding form this season. His journey to the Olympics began with an impressive performance at the first world qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy, where he defeated Spain’s world bronze medallist Martin Molina with a 3-2 victory. Despite not qualifying in Italy, he carried his form to Bangkok, Thailand, where he earned his Olympic ticket with a series of commanding performances.
Unafraid of the big names in his flyweight class in Paris, Pina remarked from Paris, “I believe we’re all on the same level; some of them are even afraid of fighting me.”
Reflecting on his victory over Spain’s Molina, he stated, “I’m so happy I won my first fight against a big name opponent whom many people thought would win easily. My coach Bruno Carvalho encouraged me between rounds, and I took charge to win the second round. The third was even, but I was more aggressive.”
Pina, a father of two children—Hellen, seven, and Miller, three—first made his mark in Cape Verde’s boxing circles in 2013 by winning the national light-flyweight title at just 17. A year later, he joined the national team and has since won the Cape Verde national title six times. He secured a bronze medal at the 2022 Africa Elite Championships in Maputo and currently resides in Portugal with his family, training under coach Bruno Carvalho.
“Africa is assured of two medals in the Paris Olympics following the semi-final qualifications of Pina and Algeria’s Imane Khelif, the first African female boxer to win an Olympic medal since women’s boxing debuted at the 2012 London Olympics. Khelif’s medal is Algeria’s first in 24 years, with the last won at the 2000 Sydney Games.
This marks the first time Africa has won more than one medal in boxing at the Olympics since Athens 2004. The continent’s highest medal tally in boxing was at the 1972 Munich Olympics, where boxers from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Niger won seven medals.
David Pina (left) with his coach Bruno Carvalho, whom he credits as the architect of his success in the ring.
