The year 2023 ended on a good note for some key stakeholders of the sweet science of boxing who put in great efforts to make the year a remarkable one and lift the sport of boxing to another level for global recognition.
Despite their efforts, Ghanaian boxers who had the opportunity to put the icing on the cake and raise the flag of Ghana high at global stages had it tough and fell short of becoming victorious.
Nevertheless, Boxinghana.com; the authentic media authority that covers and publishes news and highlights of Ghana Boxing and beyond just like in 2022 has recognized twenty four (24) individuals and institutions in 22 categories who were outstanding according to our followers and boxing fans consisting of Boxing Trainers/Coaches, Ring officials, Journalists, Boxers, Federation Administrators, etc to make it credible and authentic.
Votes were opened to the public on December 19 to December 25. Below are the Categories and their respective winners;
1. OUTSTANDING BOUT OF THE YEAR
Winner: Jerry Lartey versus Emmanuel Quartey.
The 6 rounds welterweight contest staged on October 7, 2023 ended up in a draw after a review. Quartey initially given as a split decision winner.
2. AMATEUR YOUTH BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Caleb Mensah
Caleb was outstanding during the Greater Regional Boxing Competition, emerging champion and making it to the semifinals of the National Individual Championships.
3. AMATEUR ELITE YOUTH BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Theophilus Allotey
Congratulations to you Theophilus Allotey, for being voted as the Amateur (Elite) Boxer of the Year. Theophilus won a Bronz medal during the All Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal.
4. JUVENILE BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Wesley Ayi-Bontey
Congratulations Wesley. Ghanaians have recognized you for using your boxing skills to entertain all year round during the Greater Accra Juinor Competition, the Ghana Pro Boxing League and the Besesaka Boxeducation competitions.
5. BOXING FOR GOOD AWARD
Winner: Wisdom Boxing Promotions And Making Learning Happen
Back in August, four months ago, Wisdom Boxing Promotions in collaboration with Making Learning Happen organised a boxing event dubbed “A BOXING FUNDRAISER” where funds were raised to construct tables and chairs for schools in the Northern Region; creating jobs and promoting Education in the process.
6. BOXING GYM/ CLUB OF THE YEAR
Winner: Wisdom Boxing Gym
Wisdom Boxing Gym in the year under review have identified innovative ways to market boxing to Ghanaians.
Wisdom this year was voted the best Boxing Club at the Greater Accra Boxing Association Competitions. The club also ventured into Boxing Promotions.
Theophilous Allotey, a boxer from Wisdom was the only boxer to win a medal at the African Qualifiers.
7. FEMALE BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Janet Acquah
Janet Acquach was part of the Black Hitters (Female National Team) that represented Ghana at the All Africa Olympic Qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal being the only Hitter to record a win in Senegal. Congratulations for being voted Female Boxer of the year by followers of the sweet science.
8. OUTSTANDING PROMOTION OF THE YEAR
Winner: Wisdom Boxing Promotions
Congratulations to Wisdom Boxing Promotions for emerging as Outstanding Promotion of the year. With their two boxing events held in August and December which were dubbed ‘Fight for Education’ and Nshona Rave’ respectively, boxing fans have voted them as outstanding for the year. Fight for Education went a long way to supply desks in the Northern Region as Nshona Rave also introduced some form of entertainment with a variety of good food.
9. PROFESSIONAL BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Stanley Nyantakyi
Osebor Boxing Management protege Stanley Nyantakyi aka Ashanti Warrior has been voted by boxing fans as Professional Boxer of The Year 2023. He has won 7 fights out of his 8 pro career fights which all happened this year. Coached by top notch trainer, Carl Lokko, the Ashanti Warrior aims to win a world title in the nearest future.
10. COACH OF THE YEAR
Winner: Lawrence Carl Lokko
The veteran boxing coach Carl Lokko needs not much introduction after his superb performance with his boxers before his exit from the Ghana Professional Boxing League. Coach Carl Lokko has been outstanding training eventual Professional Boxer of The Year Stanley Nyantakyi, to win 7out of his 8 all in this year alone.
Congratulations for being voted the Coach of the year.
11. BOXING WRITER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sam Nana Gold
Sam Nana Gold; a boxing Writer, boxing commentator and ring announcer has been writing stories of both local and international boxing news across various websites which includes Boxinghana.com, ultimatesportsghana.com, anansesemmedia.com, among others.
Congratulations for being voted Boxing Writer of The Year by the fans who have been reading your stories.
12. TELEVISION OF THE YEAR IN BOXING
Winner: MAX TV
Max TV has been voted the Boxing TV Channel of the year by boxing fans for their constant airing of boxing programmes like the Ghana Professional Boxing League and Boxing Arena; a boxing show hosted by the GBA PRO, Mohammed Amin Lamptey.
Congratulations to MAX TV.
13. LEGACY/ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Azumah Nelson: Boxing Hall of Famer, Prof Azumah “Zoom Zoom” Nelson despite his numerous contributions made to Ghana Boxing, has continued to serve the nation; raising young champions through words of advice and his promotional syndicate, Azumah Nelson Boxing Promotions.
We celebrate you today and say Ayekoo! for the marvellous inputs you’ve made and continue to make.
Alhaji Inusah Salia: Boxing Ghana celebrates Alhaji Inusah Salia for being a pillar of morale and financial support for boxers, clubs and federations over the years. Your efforts have helped to keep boxing dreams alive and continuous to help produce boxing champions; the likes of Azumah Nelson, Isaac Dogbe and Bastie Samir. Recent boxers includes Samuel Takyi, Jessie Lartey, Patrick Aryee, Patrick Allotey, Jerry Lartey, Joseph Awinongya Jr and Sr, the Black Bombers, Duke Micah, Freddy Lawson etc.
Ambassador Ray Quarcoo: Boxing Ghana honours you for your contributions in the areas of Boxing administration and Talent development. As one of Ghana’s most successful sports administrators, your leadership as Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) President marked some of Ghana’s Golden years. Your commitment and dedication resulted in the production of several boxing champions like Ashia Laryea, Ike Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Osumanu Yahaya, Joshua Clottey, Emmanuel Clottey etc.
14. REGIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR
Winner: Greater Accra Boxing Association
The Greater Accra Boxing Association (GABA) has this year organised Boxing Championship events for the Junior (juveniles), Youth and Elite categories with the finals being organised during the GABA Homowo Boxing Championship. For the 2nd year running, the Greater Accra Boxing Association has been voted the Regional Association of The Year.
Congratulations to the Executive Board for their efforts.
15. BOXING PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Emmanuel Quartey
Emmanuel Quartey has been voted Boxing Personality of the year. Emmanuel is a professional boxer from the Bronx Gym with a pro career record of 6 wins out of 6 with 4 knockout wins. He is a rising boxer whose popularity shot high after the controversial decision of his bout with Jerry Lartey which was eventually voted Outstanding Bout of The Year.
Congratulations to you Emmanuel.
16. PROFESSIONAL REFEREE/ JUDGE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Erasmus Owoo
Referee Erasmus Dowuona Owoo has officiated over 50 professional fights this year with the most recent duty call in Dubai as referee between Hisham Osama Majed Elsimreen of Jordan and Hashmatullah Karimi of Afghanistan.
Congratulations for being voted Professional Referee/Judge of the year by the fans.
17. AMATEUR REFEREE/ JUDGE OF THE YEAR
Winner: Naa Amerley Turkson
Being the President of the Amateur Referees/ Judges, Naa Amerley Turkson cordinates them in officiating all the amateur bouts for both National and Regional as well as the Besesaska and Arena Show for Amateurs.
Congratulations for being voted The Amateur Referee/Judge of the Year.
18. MOST PROMISING BOXER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Adelaide Gabatey
Adelaide Gabatey is one of the promising boxers who was scouted during the Girls Box School Outreach and was called up to the National Team.
Adelaide has won the admiration of boxing fans for her commitment, skills and talent at the National Boxing Team’s training sessions as well as fighting in exhibition bouts with seniors who have been fighting for nearly a decade.
19. MATCHMAKER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sarah Lotus Asare
Ghana’s first female Boxing Matchmaker, Sarah Lotus Asare has been voted as BoxingGhana Matchmaker of the year by boxing fans. She began her natchmaking career this year with her first matvh-ups fighting on August 26 and the second on December 22 with about 26 fights in all.
Congratulations for the recognition as Matchmaker of the year 2023.
20. BOXING PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Winner: Emmanuel Owusu-Eduomi
Congratulations to Emmanuel Owusu-Eduomi for being voted Boxing Photographer of the Year by the fans. Emmanuel has been behind the lenses for Max TV to bring you all the images and videos throughout the Professional Boxing League Bouts last year (2023).
21. BOXING FAN OF THE YEAR
Winner: Fadi Fattal
With the passion for the sport of boxing, the Director of IMAX Media Group, Fadi Fattal was solely nominated as Boxing Fan of the Year, with over 200 fans approving via the votes collated.
Congratulations to Group Director Fadi Fattal.
22. BOXING MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sammy Heywood Okine
Sammy Heywood Okine aka General One has been voted Boxing Media Personality of the year by boxing fans who have been constantly following updates on social media. General One administors Friends of Boxing (FOB); a boxing page on Facebook where he constantly updates fans with the latest on Ghana Boxing.
Congratulations to all the winners, wishing all the nominees and winners the very best of 2024.