Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the year 2025, Mathias Ashitey, says he wants to retain that prestigious title, so he is not idling or slowing down his training.
In an exclusive interview, the best boxer at the recent Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) 2026 National Individual Amateur Boxing Championship said he is never swollen-headed; now his best is yet to come.
He said the Championship was well organised and he congratulated the GBF President Dauda Fuseni and his executive board.
Ashitey commended his colleagues and all officials who supported in making the event successful.
The visual arts student of Kinbu SHS also acknowledged the support and contribution of Besesaka Boxing and his teammates at the Black Panthers Boxing Club.
On the behaviour of some fans that caused chaos. He pleaded with them to be calm as the GBF will always ensure fair officiating.
“The ring officials know their work, so the fans must be calm and watch proceedings in peace. If there is any issue, it would be solved amicably but not through force or violence,” he expressed.
According to the classic boxer, he knew the gold was for him, but never took anything for granted, so he trained hard and executed the mission in style.
“I have met Caleb Mensah five times, two were exhibition bouts, and I have won the rest, but he is also good, and I salute him for giving me a good fight that made the fans see my capabilities,” he described his final bout at the Championship.
Ashitey revealed that his coach, Ebenezer Adjei aka Kille,r has been very influential, and he warned the three finalists from Black Panthers that if they lost, they would be sacked from the gym, so they made sure victory was registered.
He noted that fighting on the local front and internationally are very different; however, he learnt a lot while representing the Black Rockets (the national youth boxing team) in Guinea and Montenegro.
His next target is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, and he wants to improve and win gold.
The three golden boxers from Black Panthers who were on the Omashi TV flagship programme, The Big Fight Night, last Friday, said they are going for the gold that their senior colleague Joseph Commey, aka Jaguar, left in 2022.
Commey got sick at the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and he missed the gold, but Ashitey, Ebenezer Ankrah, and Ibrahim Doku have promised Ghanaians that they’re going for the ultimate.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
