Bukom Banku knows what he is doing; he's not a child - Azumah

Africa and Ghana’s most decorated boxer, Professor Azumah Nelson has stated that he believes Bukom Banku is a matured man and can make decisions for himself amidst recent criticisms of skin bleaching.

Azumah Nelson who won the WBC Featherweight and WBC Super Featherweight titles during his reign made his maiden appearance on the widely watched satirical talk show; Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thompson on Viasat1 last Friday but was very cautious when he was asked to advise Bukom Banku. Bukom Banku has been at the receiving end of intense criticisms from Ghanaians for skin bleaching and also for a recent indecent exposure in a video clip.

“Bukom Banku is a man of his own. He is not a small boy; he knows what he is doing. He is making himself happy. We came to this world with nothing and we go with nothing; all we have to do is to be happy and do the right thing and go. So everybody is doing what he feels right. So if he feels like bleaching himself, or feels like I don’t want to be black again…there is nothing you can say because if he is a small boy you can tell him ‘no no… don’t do that’, but he is grown up and he knows what he is doing. I wish him all the best,” the Professor stated.

Azumah Nelson, also on the show, complained about the downward trend of boxing in Ghana and expressed his doubts as to whether Ghana can win a gold medal in the upcoming Olympic Games.

“Boxing is going very low and very down in Ghana and we have to do something because the whole world knows Ghana is noted for boxing, I don’t think they [Olympic athletes] can win gold, the level is too low. That is why we are involving ourselves now,” the former world champion noted.

Azumah Nelson however, was quick to express his optimism that with the likes of him and a few other stakeholders coming together to help bring up the sport again, he expects that in the next four years, the country can do very well at the Olympic Games and help restore the glory the nation used to enjoy as a result of boxing.

Catch a repeat broadcast of Tonight with Nii Kpakpo Thompson on Tuesday at 11 am and watch it every Friday at 9pm on Viasat1.