Ghanaian boxers must work hard to avoid robbery – GBA Secretary

Patrick Johnson, Secretary General of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has disclosed that it is about time that Ghanaian boxers go out to fight with their own referee which is winning by knock out.

Speaking with yours truly at his office at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, he noted that Ghana has very good boxers but they are sometimes robbed when they fight outside.

He was not happy that on a weekend, three very good boxers from Ghana were beaten in Zambia, Malta and Liverpool in the United Kingdom.

Then unbeaten Patrick Allotey lost his WBC international Welterweight title to Charles Manyuchi of Zimbabwe in Zambia, Isaac Quartey, the Chorkor Dynamite was beaten in Malta by Steve Martin in his quest for the WBU Intercontinental Super Lightweight title whilst Charles Adamu, The Crusader also lost the opportunity to reclaim the Commonwealth Super Middleweight crown against unbeaten Fielding of the United Kingdom.

Indeed it was a dark Saturday for Ghana Boxing and the General Secretary hinted that the boxers and their managers as well as trainers should be blamed.

He was sad that even at the weigh in between Allotey and Manyuchi, the Ghanaian was wearing boxer shorts in American colours and asked if that portrays or can sell Ghana.

Patrick Johnson insisted that sportsmen and women are Ambassadors who must be able to market or sell Ghana in any country they compete or participate and they must also give good account of themselves.

According to the GBA Secretary he is very sad that Allotey, an up coming very talented boxer should lose through robbery and come home empty handed.

He said every Ghanaian boxer must learn the Professor Azumah Nelson Style of going into the ring with your own officials and win by knock out to avoid any controversy.

He added that even of late when some boxers go to win by knock out, the referees allow the opponents to recover and wake up.

Johnson lamented on the lack of education or poor educational background of some boxers which cause them a lot in the ring.

He recalled instances when a boxer nick named Akuffo Addo and Philip Kotey were robbed in fights they were clearly winning.

The GBA Secretary suggested that the managers of these boxers should involve the media in their contingents are go out with boxing journalists who can give on the spot information.

On the pending big fight between Ayitey Powers and Bukom Banku on April 18, 2014 at the Accra sports Stadium, he adviced that security must be very tight as he foresees a large crowd attending the fight.

He congratulated the promoters, Box Office for their boldness in business to organize such a fight between two very popular local boxers who are big in their own rights.