Theophilus Kpakpo “Theo Lopez” Allotey stands potentially 12 rounds away from transforming a remarkable two-year professional rise into a world-title opportunity when he faces Argentina’s Facundo David Garcia in a high-stakes WBA super flyweight final eliminator at the Bukom Boxing Arena tonight.
The 24-year-old Ghanaian has promised to “go all out” against the higher-ranked Argentine, with victory potentially opening the door to a crack at WBA champion David Jimenez.
It is a significant leap for a fighter who only turned professional in July 2024. Allotey, the WBA Africa Gold champion, has already collected five titles and climbed to No.15 in the WBA rankings. Garcia sits five places above him at No.10, but the Legacy Rise Sports and Wisdom Boxing Gym protégé insists rankings will carry little weight once the bell sounds.
“That will not be a problem at all,” Allotey told The Mirror after the fighters came face-to-face at the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Independence Square last Wednesday.
He pointed to his victory over higher-ranked Filipino Jayr Raquinel, whom he defeated to claim the WBO Global title at the University of Ghana Stadium last December, as evidence that he can overcome another rankings deficit.
“I am ready, fully ready, because I always stay ready,” he said. “I always say to myself I don’t have to get a fight before I get ready.”
That relentless approach, Allotey believes, explains a rapid ascent even he admits has surprised him.
“Everything that I do, I put in a lot of work with a clear target,” he said. “I always wanted to be a world champion. It’s my life, it’s my ambition.”
Garcia, however, has not travelled from Argentina to play supporting actor in a Ghanaian coronation. Fighting outside his homeland for only the second time, he described a world-title fight as a “long-cherished dream” and vowed to make Argentina proud.
“I’m here on a mission for which I am well prepared. Fighting for the world title is a long-cherished dream, and I am delighted to be just one victory away from realising it. I am here to win and make Argentina proud,” he said.
Allotey is preparing for the full championship distance rather than chasing a spectacular finish. “One punch can always make a difference in this sport,” he said. “I’m prepared for 12 rounds. If the knockout comes, I will grab it.”
The eliminator headlines the inaugural Osagyefo Fight Night, Obra Sports’ debut promotion, staged in honour of Ghana’s founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, two days before Founders’ Day observance.
Former national champion Michael Decardi Nelson faces Bukom rival Jerry Klutei Robertson in the bantamweight co-main event, while Olympic bronze medallist Samuel “Ring Warrior” Takyi meets Botswana’s Steven Bagwasi as he begins a new chapter under Legacy Rise Sports.
And the Ghanaian has promised an emphatic statement against Bagwasi.
“I will prove to everyone that I’m not scared of any fighter; no matter the style or strength you bring, I will shut it down,” Takyi declared.
The 10-bout card also features Gideon Nortey against Nigeria’s Yusuf Ayinde Ogunbunmi, heavyweight Joseph “Junior Bazooka” Antwi against Felix Mankattah and Moro Inusah Kanla against Accra-based Nigerian Abdoul-Baki Adamou Kanla.
For Allotey, however, today’s encounter is about far more than another belt or ranking. His rapid apprenticeship has taken him to the threshold of the world stage. Now, he must win to force the door open.
