By Hon. Kentucky Col. Dr. Onesmo A. M. Ngowi, President and Chair of the Board of WABA, Jan 13, 2022
Arguments that we have read about Africa state of boxing over these last few years show that there is a passion within Africa’s many boxing personalities.
This is a very positive compliment to improving the state of African pugilism.
In the United States for example, people realize that Africa has always been a major player — this is due to their lingering memories of October 30, 1974 (whether boxing fans were born yet or not) this moment proved vital (Mohammad Ali Knocked Out George Foreman in Round 8 in Kinshasa).
The rope-a-dope was born. Any american boxing fan has heard of Ghanaian Azumah Nelson and now they all fear when their U.S. boxers have to face a tough boxer boxer.
John “the beast” Mugabi of Uganda and Harry Simon and several South African boxers also received lots of television airplay in the U.S.A. .
This rests in the minds of promoters and television executives that perhaps Africa will once again return to rumble with the best in the world.
Something has to change though.. There must be a change in the Latitudes.I believe this is not as difficult as it seems.
The pieces of this puzzle are already to be placed.
The World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) can be a major player in the developmental phase of a boxer’s career especially with it’s present discussion with TV sponsors in several countries.
Tournaments are the answer to finding who the best is. Award our title and financial reward to the victor of a Africa youth tournament..have countries identify who their top boxers are.Very special care and accommodations must be made to ensure that the boxer has the best nutritionist, trainers, management team, etc..
Once certain youthful boxers are identified they need to be nurtured as if they were the future Floyd Mayweather of Africa. A process must be formed.. just as it is for National Team footballers.It will take a larger team of African boxing sponsorship, to establish a dominance of boxing coming directly from Africa.
The old format is no longer working and reform is necessary to achieve greatness–everything must evolve.It is not about the individual or even a specific African country.. it is about the African Continent.This is our calling. WABA can play a pivotal role in this new foundation.
Assistance of TVs and corporate sponsors is fundamentally the only possible way that Africa will move ahead and get the respect that is deserved for all the hard work and sacrifice that is made by its people.
A new alliance must be forged. Certain venues need to be recognized as world class to hold sacred important title bouts to determine specific African boxer representatives to fight for regional titles.
This is already established, however, these clashed need a special name to mark the occasion.The people of the nations need to know where and when this important spectacle is to take place (an annual event or a league).
The people need to know the value of its worth and need to identify with these boxers.The people need heroes like Muhammad Ali and a united Africa can provide a respite for its people.There is nothing better than watching a man overcome massive obstacles to conquer the world .. this is what boxing brings to the populace.
Finding several African boxers who can become heroes to the continent and go on to win world titles will bring huge dividends to the sport.
Proper representation of AFRICA in its boxing will have a ripple effect on a global scale.
I look forward to watching the rise of WABA as an advocate and growth contributor to our beloved sport in the year 2022 and beyond.