Passion of boxing makes Attoh Quarshie Gym dream live on
“No Pain, No Guts, No Wits, No Will, No Gain, No Glory” -these are what makes Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym boxers special.
Founded in 1981, the Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym is one of the most respected and honored gyms in Accra, Ghana when it comes to training and grooming of talented boxers.
They made history by winning the maiden Mortein Boxing League in Ghana with Kotey Ashie receiving the Best Boxer Award.
The founding fathers are the late veteran politician Attoh Quashie (owner) and international boxing referee and judge Robert Teddy Lamptey (Head Trainer), men of vision and passion for boxing.
The popular gym located at James Town at the City Engineers premise has transformed the likes of Charles Adamu, James Toney, Anyetei Laryea and Joseph Agbeko under the late coach Dzanie Kotey aka ‘Alloway’ who left the gym in the charge of young enterprising Vincent Akai Nettey.
Currently they boast of four coaches taking care of 54 boxers.
The major challenges of the gym are financial and equipment to train, says Akai Nettey.
Some of the popular boxers who have made names in recent times are former IBF Welterweight champion Joshua Clottey, George Ashie, Obodai Sai, Emmanuel Martey, Isaac Sackey, Samuel Yaw Addo, Akimos Annan Appiah and David Bawa.
With no sponsors they find it difficult but cope with the situation, however they will embrace sponsorship in any form if it is possible and positive.
Current head coach Vincent Akai Nettey is motivated by the passion for boxing and he believes that he can create more world champions for Ghana.
The breakdown of boxers at Attoh Quarshie is 12 Professionals, 20 Amateurs and 22 Juvenile boxers.
Coach Akai Nettey said the future is with the young boxers and they have time for the kids.
His message to boxing fans is to thank them for being with them to this far, and encouraged them to continue to support the gym and the boxers every time.
He expressed that the doors of Attoh Quarshie Boxing Gym are open to corporate bodies to come and support.
He thanked the media
and recommended the formation of the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) as it will go a long way to promote Ghana Boxing.
By Sammy Heywood Okine