Ghana is known as the Mecca of African Boxing and we should maintain it – Alex Ntiamoah Boakye
Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Promotions believes Ghana Boxing industry has the potential to support the economy of the country and turn people from the slums into tycoons.
Speaking on Omashi TV, The Big Fight Night as a Special Guest, he revealed how as a young man growing up, he was invited to compile the constitution of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) before it was reviewed, approved, adopted and accepted by stakeholders at a well organized Congress.
According to the ace promoter, he was born in Ga Mashie in Accra to a Kwahu dad and Ewe mum, but he has lived in the capital and knows every lifestyle in the city.
He and a few friends started Box Office with their office at James Town in 2008, after realising lack of bouts while boxers keep training.
“Our ambition was to stage international bouts in Ghana to create our own champions here and we did it with Asamoah Gyans Baby Jet to produce Emmanuel Tagoe, the Game Boy as IBO champion, we wanted to continue with the ideas of the great men who planned to stage a world title in Ghana before DK.Poison won Ghana’s first world title” he said.
“Ghana is known as the Mecca of African Boxing and we should maintain it” he added.
He disclosed that boxing promotion is very expensive because it is cost intensive and most of the time there is no profit unless one has a good sponsor.
Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye said boxing creates employment or business not only for boxers and their management, but for medical personal, media, security, card girls, ring announcers, ring fixers and others so it should be done well.
He called for the support of corporate Ghana and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to support the Amateur category.
He hinted about his contributions to boxing at the local level, with juveniles and youth who pass through the amateur ranks by contesting in the annual Homowo Boxing Championship which he thanked Base Pharmacy for their support.
The next edition of the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing competition is on August 17th, 2024, while elections for new executives has been slated for September.
He advised boxing fans to comport themselves whenever they attend matches because results might not favour them, however they must accept defeat in good faith.
On how he makes big and attractive promotions, he said “we give the fans what they want”
According to him, Ghana Boxing has faced leadership problems in recent years and wants to offer himself in the next election as he feels his time is due to lead and reform the sport with his expertise and experience.
He endorsed Omashi TV for promoting boxing in the media and using the language that the people who love the game can understand.
He noted that Ghana Boxing will rise and be attractive again with new champions. “The future is always bright because we have the talent, we need positive direction and commitment to give the fans what they want” he expressed.
By Sammy Heywood Okine