Following a challenge call by UBO Africa Lightweight Champion Joseph Commey aka ‘Jaguar’ who won silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games to Samuel Takyi aka ‘Ring Warrior’ bronze medalist at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, former boxer turned promoter Ayitey Powers has cautioned Takyi to stop bragging by saying he is on a different level and fight the best in the country before he can go to the continent and the world.
Ayitey Powers, President of Voice of Professional Boxers said he is prepared to promote the bout and place 20,000 Ghc for each boxer to give Ghanaian boxing fans a good show.
“If Takyi feels Box Office Promotions is associated with Commey, I will promote it because the people of Ghana want to see good fights by good boxers,” he said.
Ayitey Powers supported the call by former IBF world champion Joshua Clottey that local boxers can become better and learn a lot if they fight among themselves at home to determine the best boxers who can go outside and perform.
Michael Nii Ayitey Okin a.k.a Ayitey Powers, mentioned a host of Ghanaian boxers who were expected to become world champions, but the dream was not fulfilled, like Raymond Narh, Gbese Tyson Odoi, James Armah aka Bukom Fire, Alfred ‘Stingy Bee’ Tetteh, Alex Baba, Anyetei Laryea, Sackey Soldier, ‘Malik Golden Boy’ Jabir, and himself.
According to Ayitey Power, he has paid his dues by fighting in foreign rings where the Ghana National anthem is played, and he felt proud as an ambassador, but he was not able to grab the world title because it is not easy.
“To become a world champion is not by mouth but performance and fighting the best,” said Powers, who fought Joshua Clottey and was one of the crowd pullers. They advised that fixed or arranged bouts known in local parlance as ‘Atsiagbeshie’ must stop because it does not offer the opportunity to display well and give out the best boxing.
He advised Takyi to take on Commey if he believes he is on the roto ute tobecominge a world champion, because they are young boxers who will attract many fans and experience to move into other rings without fear or favour.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
