On the 24th of April, 2021, the world received a shocking news as American professional boxer Ryan Garcia announced he was redrawing from his much-anticipated upcoming fight against Javier Fortuna. In his own words he said “..I have decided to take sometime off to focus on a stronger version of myself”
The WBC interim light weight champion, who is also ranked as the world’s third best active boxer by ring magazine and the transnational boxing rankings, fourth by ESPN and Fifth by BoxRec, bravely admitted he needed a mental health break and retraced that he has been struggling with depression and anxiety for some time now.
Ryan Garcia has since received several well wishing messages and support from fans and members in the global boxing family, including WBC Good will Ambassador Charlie Hall.
The month of May has been dedicated to creating awareness on Mental Health, to encourage each of us to accept our vulnerabilities.
In the wake of this incident, we seek to inquire what arrangements are made for African boxers? Do they have access to psychology, do they make a conscious effort to guard their mental wellbeing?
Reflecting on these past months when two professional Ghanaian boxers were banned by the Ghana Boxing Authority as well as the Black Bombers preparing to participate in the Olympic games to be held in Tokyo. What provisions have been made to ensure they are mentally prepared?
Boxing as a sport relies heavily on the mental capacity of the pugilist. He/She must constantly strategize his/her moves while anticipating their opponents’ actions. A 2019 article by Lewis Watson, suggests that mental health issues are more popular in boxing than we think. Mental Health Awareness can help boxers overcome fear, believe in their strengths and aid in recovery from psychological trauma associated with boxing pressure or injury.
The national team coach of the Black Bombers of Ghana, coach Ofori Asare agrees that the use of specialist assistants in preparing boxers is important and cannot be overlooked if we want to achieve more laurels in the sport.
The experienced coach noted the black bombers in addition to the boxing coaches have been working with a psychologist, nutritionist, and physio- therapist as they prepare to Tokyo 2020. According to him Psychologists give boxers a wake up and give them self-esteem.
Physical fitness is a key part of training but individual background can make boxers not believe in their abilities. If their mental level is destabilized, coaches will work in vain since they will be defeated by inferiority complex before their opponents land a punch.
Although members of Ghana’s national boxing team are engaged with psychologists occasionally and more intensively as they prepare for games, mental health specialists are seldom used in the field and some boxers have never had a session with psychologists to enhance their performance by helping them work through personal insecurities.
The just ended Girls Box tournament organized by the Greater Accra Boxing Association partnered with a non-profit making organization aim at intensifying mental health education in Africa, psychEDU Africa who spoke to boxers before they mounted the ring.
If we want to achieve greatness in boxing, we have to start sensitizing our athletes right from their childhood as we begin nurturing young talents and make a conscious effort to include psychologists, nutritionists, physiotherapists and other experts in long term training programs.
If we want to achieve laurels in boxing, then we must rely on specialists like psychologists etc. to take athletes where physical and technical conditioning alone cannot.
In this special Mental Health Awareness month, I encourage each one of us to reflect on our mental health, seek assistance, and noting that you cannot do it by yourself. You matter and we care.
By Ms. Sarah Lotus Asare (Columnist for Boxinghana.com)