I will be Ghana's 11th world champion - Samuel Takyi vows
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hero, Samuel 'Ring Warrior' Takyi made a winning return to the pro ranks with a convincing round 4 stoppage of Emmanuel Noi Mensah in Dansoman on Friday night and immediately made his intentions clear, to follow in the footsteps of D.K. Poison, Azumah Nelson and Ghana's other world champions.
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The 23-year-old who became the first Ghanaian to win a medal at the Olympic Games in 29 years by grabbing bronze in boxing, had turned pro back in 2022 under the guidance of former world champion, Ike Bazooka Quartey.
Young Takyi went 3-0 following victories in South Africa, Nigeria and later in Ghana.
But his round 2 TKO victory over Anama Dotse at the Bukom Boxing Arena in June 2023 will remain Takyi's last pro fight for over a year after he decided to temporarily hang his pro gloves to rejoin the national amateur boxing team, Black Bombers on a mission to qualify and win gold at the Paris Olympics.
He did compete with the Black Bombers in Busto Arsizio, Italy back in February but failed to go beyond the preliminary round following defeat to Japan's Shion Nishiyama in light welterweight competition.
He made amends by emerging one of an unprecedented four Ghanaian boxers to win gold during the Accra 2023 Africa Games right here in Ghana in March but Takyi abandoned the Olympic dream altogether to relaunch and focus on his pro career when he signed a management contract with UK based Michael Amoo-Bediako's Streetwise Management in May, barely days before the national team headed to Thailand for the final Road to Paris Olympics boxing qualifying tournament.
"After the Olympics I've prepared long for this and now I understand the game of boxing. I am here to go, Samuel Takyi is ready to go. I am the best, I am the next world champion," he said after dominating 20-fight veteran, Noi Mensah for 3 one-sided rounds so much the 29 year old quit on his stool at the sound of the bell for the 4th stanza at the Cabic Big Fight Night on Friday.
"No boxing, no life for Samuel Takyi. Boxing is my life, this is what I do to feed my family. I am here to give Ghana what they want, I am here to give Africa what they want and I am here to let the world get what they want. Hardwork and dedication. I will be Ghana's 11th world champion, its a promise," Takyi affirmed.
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Part of the switch to Streetwise Management who famously mentored Richard Oblitey Commey into becoming a world champion, is Takyi also re-uniting with Coach Kwasi Ofori Asare who was also was in the corner as head coach of the national team when Takyi made history in Japan in 2021.
"Shout out to Coach Ofori Asare for all the guidance and support, this man has been behind me since day one. I appreciate his efforts very much, God bless him. He is the man," Takyi said adoringly after a first pro win under the experienced trainer.
The rising superstar refused to be drawn into any political discourse and reflected on the unity he seeks his victories including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics success to instil in Ghanaians for a common purpose.
"I did this for NDC, I did this for NPP, I did this for CPP, I did this for myself, I did it for you (fans), I did this for Ghana," Takyi said pointing to the Olympic bronze and Africa Game gold medals he wore around his neck after dispatching Mensah.
"I am very grateful to my fans especially the people of Atukpai. Atukpai is my home, and by extension the whole Odododiodio. I am here to give the fans what they want, I am here to bring the world title to Ghana," he pledged.