Agbeko Calls for Stricter Oversight in Ghana Boxing
Former IBF bantamweight world champion Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko has urged the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to implement stricter measures to protect the credibility and integrity of boxing in Ghana. Agbeko, who claimed the world title in 2007 and successfully defended it twice, has raised concerns about harmful practices within the sport.
In a recent interview with Graphic Sports, Agbeko emphasized the need for the GBA to conduct thorough vetting of boxers before sanctioning fights. He believes that assessing a boxer’s skill level, fight record, contractual details, and purse arrangements is essential to ensuring fair competition. According to him, these steps would help address the issue of credible fighters facing 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 stagnation in Ghanaian boxing, including the challenges in winning world titles, to these corrupt practices.
Agbeko also expressed concern over impersonation in the sport, where boxers’ names and records are misrepresented. He argues that this undermines Ghana’s reputation on the global stage and damages the sport’s credibility. Drawing a comparison with boxing in the United States, Agbeko noted that American boxers are judged based on their in-ring performance, regardless of whether they win. He believes that adopting a similar approach could benefit Ghanaian boxing by ensuring that only genuine, quality fighters get opportunities in the ring.
Reflecting on the golden era of Ghanaian boxing during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Agbeko expressed disappointment with the current state of the sport. He reminisced about the high-caliber fights that once captivated audiences and lamented the decline in quality and public interest.
To address these challenges, Agbeko is calling for a renewed focus on marketing and sponsorship. He advocates for 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. He added, “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 reflect a deep commitment to restoring Ghana’s boxing legacy.
