Agbeko calls for stricter oversight in Ghana boxing

FORMER IBF bantamweight world champion, Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko has called on the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to implement stricter measures to safeguard the credibility and integrity of boxing in Ghana. 

Agbeko, who won the world title in 2007 and defended it successfully twice, has voiced concerns over what he sees as damaging practices within the sport.

In a recent interview with the Graphic Sports, Agbeko urged the GBA to undertake thorough vetting of boxers before sanctioning fights. 

He believes that assessing a boxer's skill level, fight record, contractual details, and purse arrangements are essential steps in maintaining fair competition. 

According to him, these measures would address the current issue where credible fighters often faced opponents of questionable quality, a practice he referred to as 'atsiagbeeshie'—a Ga term meaning "push and fall".

"The GBA must establish a strict sanctioning regimen to combat promoters and managers who fix bouts and boxers who fake fights to artificially inflate their records," Agbeko said. 

He attributed the lack of progress in Ghanaian boxing, including difficulties in winning world titles, to these corrupt practices.

Agbeko also clamented the issue of impersonation in the sport, where boxers’ names and records are misrepresented. This, he argues, undermines Ghana’s reputation on the global stage and affects the sport’s credibility.

Drawing a comparison with boxing in the United States, Agbeko stated that American boxers were judged based on their in-ring performance, whether they won or not. He believed that adopting a similar approach could benefit Ghanaian boxing by ensuring that only genuine, quality fighters got opportunities in the ring.

Reflecting on the golden era of Ghanaian boxing during the 70s, 80s and 90s, Agbeko expressed disappointment at the current state of the sport. He reminisced about the high-calibre fights that once captivated audiences and lamented the decline in quality and public interest.

To address these issues, Agbeko is calling for a renewed focus on marketing and sponsorship. He is advocating the involvement of business experts and the corporate world to enhance the visibility and financial backing of Ghanaian boxing.

"We need to unite all stakeholders to bring about positive change in our boxing industry," Agbeko stated, adding: "The corporate world must step up with advertisements and sponsorships to revive the sport's prominence."

Agbeko, now 44, remains a significant figure in Ghanaian boxing, having earned his world champion status by defeating Nicaragua’s Luis Alberto Perez. Despite his retirement from professional boxing, his passion for the sport and his call for reform reflects a deep commitment to restoring Ghana's boxing legacy.