Boxing in Ghana, according to veteran Ghanaian boxer Joshua Clottey, has no future owing to a lack of planning and investment.
The former IBF welterweight champion believes there is no advancement from the amateur level, which is supposed to be the sport’s base.
Clottey observed that, unlike national football teams, which prepare for weeks before competitions, young boxers are rushed together when there is a competition.
When asked if he saw a future for boxing in the country, he told Adom TV, “For now, to be honest, no.” That is correct. Because amateur fighters represent the future, when they compete in the Commonwealth Games and even win gold, no growth plan or attention is provided to them, and as a result, they lose in subsequent competitions.
“For example, they are managed by a single coach and do not even arrive on time due to poor preparation.” They might arrive two days before a competition and go weighing the next day. Such preparations will provide no results.”
“Because you need to arrive at least ten days before the competitions to be acclimatized to the system,” Clottey remarked.
“Meanwhile, if it had been the Black Stars, proper preparations would have been put in place through better sponsorships.”
Ghanaian boxers have struggled on the world stage in recent years, suffering crushing defeats at the hands of the elite.
Isaac Dogboe just blew the opportunity to become the WBO Featherweight champion when he lost a unanimous decision against Robeisy Ramirez.
Richard Commey has also lost his previous three fights, the most recent of which ended in a knockout loss to Jose Ramirez.
