Former Ghanaian boxer Joseph Agbeko
Former Ghanaian boxer Joseph Agbeko has identified a major flaw in the grooming and harnessing of Ghanaian boxing talents.
According to Agbeko, the practice where boxers engage in what he terms ‘fake bouts’ is impeding the success of the sport in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Game TV, the former world champion stated that boxers are offered these arranged matches to pad their stats and make their numbers look good to promoters.
Agbeko, however, laments that this practice becomes counterproductive when the boxers become complacent and are unable to live up to their reputation when paired with credible opponents.
He recounted an embarrassing moment when he witnessed three fixed bouts with a boxing friend of his from the United States of America.
“We have been building boxers the wrong way. We love giving boxers easy opponents so that they will be able to win fights, but that will not take them anywhere. Give boxers good competition that prepares them for the future.
“That has been the biggest issue. There are a lot of fake fights in the system. I once took a friend from the US to Kwahu to watch a boxing bout. The first two fights on the night were fake fights. It was very obvious, so I became embarrassed,” he stated.
Joseph Agbeko also charged the boxing administrators in the country to be bold and communicate the issues affecting the sport to the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Agbeko noted that boxing administrators lack the courage to communicate their issues to the ministry, and that is affecting the sport.
EK
