From Ringside to Center Stage: Nathaniel Kotey NeequayeShines as Judge/Referee of the Year
By Daniel Mensah-Apenteng
The 2024 Boxing Ghana Awards brought excitement and grandeur to the celebration of boxing, leaving a lasting impression. Nathaniel Kotey Neequaye was honored as the Professional Judge/Referee of the Year, triumphing over an impressive pool of nominees.
Boxing Ghana has firmly established itself as a prominent voice in promoting the sport’s rich history within Ghana and internationally. The awards recognized outstanding talent and contributions that continue to elevate boxing.
In the Professional Judge/Referee category, nominees included Roger Barnor, Erasmus Owoo, David Mills, and Nathaniel Kotey Neequaye. The competition attracted 782 voters, with Nathaniel Kotey Neequaye receiving 290 votes (37.1%) to emerge as the winner.
Nathaniel Kotey Neequaye, a marketing student at Methodist University and a MultiChoice employee, is a respected professional referee with 64 bouts officiated to date. His latest assignment was the bout between Godson Amuzu and Henry Hope at the Bukom Boxing Arena. Inspired by his uncle, GBA President Abraham Neequaye, Nathaniel embarked on his journey as a boxing referee.
Close contenders included Roger Barnor, who garnered 212 votes (27.1%), Erasmus Owoo with 157 votes (20.1%), and David Mills with 147 votes (19.8%). These results highlight the exceptional work of Ghanaian referees and judges this year.
The Boxing Ghana Awards celebrated these achievements while urging businesses and individuals to extend their support to the sport. Sammy Ofosuhene, CEO and Managing Chief Editor of Boxing Ghana, thanked voters for their active participation and praised Ghanaian boxers for their remarkable contributions to boxing.
By Daniel Mensah-Apenteng