Boxing in Ghana is dying - Clottey

Former World champion Joshua Clottey ( 37-4, 22 Kos) has joined boxing greats who believe the sport is taking a nosedive in the country.

Clottey, who has taken preparations for his upcoming bout in the United States of America to a higher level, is beside himself with grave worry following the falling standards.

The Grand Master indicated that the downward trend (no promotions, lack of training facilities, administrative hitches) will make raising World champions a difficult task.

Describing boxing as a difficult sport, the former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight champion called for a concerted effort from all fronts to rescue the pugilistic sport from sinking further.

To the hard hitting boxer, boxing has once raised the flag of Ghana high at the world stage-producing close to ten World titles and has therefore called on all stakeholders to help restore the sport to its lost glory.

He said in an exclusive interview that “It is sad the way boxing is sinking, and from the way we handle the sport in this country, it will be extremely difficult to raise champions.”

“One of our world-title prospects Lawson, I mean Okunka has recently crashed out leaving Richard Commey as the lone ranger. If Lawson has won that bout, that would have been his breakthrough.

“It is difficult to rise to the top as an African, the system doesn’t favour us, and what complicates it is the way we are running the sport in the country.”

“Something should be done about it, until recently, we had two world champions at a go, but look at what is happening now,” he added.

In his impressive boxing career, Clottey has lost to only champions like Manny Pacquaio, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito etc.

The Ghanaian, who has kept a clean sheet since 2010 is billed to clash with Junior Middleweight contender Gabe Rosado(21-9,13Kos) on December 19, at Verona, New York.