Ghanaian boxer Joseph ‘King Kong’ Agbeko, has added his voice to calls for 2020 Olympic bronze medallist, Samuel Takyi to turn professional.
According to the two-times world champion, the Ring Warrior do not need any more amateur fights to prove his worth in the sport.
Agbeko’s call for Takyi to go professional falls in line with calls by legendary boxers, Azumah Nelson and Ike “Bazooka” Quartey, and said participating in the Olympic Games was a plus for a young boxer such as Takyi, hence the need for him to turn professional.
“Honestly, I don’t think Takyi needs any more amateur fight because he has won the ultimate at the Olympics,” Agbeko told the Graphic Sports in an interview.
“Even qualifying to the Olympics is a plus, let alone winning a medal. I don’t know what next is there to be won,” he stated.
The 44-year-old former world champion stressed that moving to the professional ranks on the back of winning an Olympic medal would boost Takyi’s confidence rather than going to the Commonwealth Games and failing to make a significant impact.
Agbeko said failure to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next year could be detrimental to Takyi’s career and ,therefore, called on the youngster to get the best management team to lead him to the professional ranks.
“What people fail to understand is that he (Takyi) can go to the Commonwealth Games and not win anything. That is going to be dangerous for his career because turning professional immediately after winning an Olympic medal boosts one’s confidence,” he explained.
Ghanaians have been divided in opinion over Takyi’s future since he ended the nation’s 29-year wait for an Olympic medal in Tokyo recently.
Takyi had to rescind an earlier decision to turn pro when he returned from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is still uncertain about his future.
However, Agbeko said Takyi needed the best of guidance to reach his full potential in the sport, adding that could be his toughest career choice.
The veteran boxer explained that Takyi’s decision today could determine his boxing future and ,therefore, urged him to be cautious in taking that step.
“Where he is now he needs guidance to avoid mistakes because he remains the target of every manager and promoter.
“This is where the danger lies because, whichever decision he takes now, could determine the direction of his career,” he noted.
Source: Graphic online.