Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) President Dauda Fuseni says the Black Bombers will face a series of international tests as the national team intensifies preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers, beginning with Saturday’s 10-fight friendly against Metro Detroit Golden Gloves at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

Fuseni will miss the Accra contest because of working engagements in the United States, where he has over the past week been studying American excellence in combat sports and exploring opportunities to strengthen Ghana’s amateur boxing structures.

He held discussions with USA Boxing Executive Director and CEO Mike McAtee on a potential strategic partnership covering athlete development, coaching education, training exchanges, high-performance systems and international opportunities for Ghanaian boxers. He also met USA Boxing Elite National Team head coach Billy Walsh and toured the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre.

“My visit to the United States is about learning the American excellence in combat that cuts across all combat sports, including boxing, judo, MMA, Muay Thai and wrestling,” Fuseni told the Graphic Sports.

The GBF chief said his study visit also covered regulatory systems, safety standards, anti-doping measures and the business of sport, including its impact on youth development and opportunities.

On the Detroit encounter, Fuseni described it as the first in a series of competitive tests designed to expose Ghana’s boxers to different opposition, with the tough Olympic qualifiers in mind.

“We all know the strength of America when it comes to boxing, and engaging the Detroit Golden Gloves is a step in that direction,” he said.

The GBF president disclosed that the Black Bombers would also participate in the debut IBA President’s Cup in Instabul, Turkey, and face a French boxing side, both in December, as well as an English team in March 2027, keeping the squad active ahead of Olympic qualification events expected in the summer of 2027.

Ghana is also hoping to secure hosting rights for the continental Olympic qualification tournament, he disclosed.

The federation’s programme includes participation by Ghanaian teams – concurrently – at both the 2026 (International Boxing Association) IBA African Elite Men and Women’s Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo from October 19-November 1, and the inaugural World Boxing (WB) African Championships scheduled for October 15–28, 2026, at Nairobi’s Kasarani Indoor Arena, Kenya.

Fuseni’s strategy is to build a battle-tested team through sustained international competition, technical development and partnerships as Ghana pursues a stronger presence on the road to LA 2028.

Abban is ranked number 15 in the latest WBO global standings released on Wednesday, with fellow Ghanaian Theophilus Nii Kpakpo Allotey alias Theo Lopez – the WBO Global champion – also making significant progress by climbing a step up to number 12 in the same division. The WBO junior bantamweight world title is held by experienced Japanese three-time world champion Kenshiro Teraji.

The development further strengthens Abban’s growing credentials on the international scene. He is also ranked No. 39 by the WBC and is the reigning WBA Africa super flyweight champion, while also holding the Commonwealth Silver title.

His latest rise follows a unanimous decision victory in Accra last month over South Africa’s Yanga “Showtime” Sigqibo who held the WBO interncontinental title between 2018 to 2021, defending it three times.

The statement victory in Pokuase on August 9 improved Abban’s record to 15 wins, one defeat, with 10 knockouts. It also earned the rising Ghanaian star mandatory challenger status for the Commonwealth super flyweight title held by Britain’s Matt McHale. McHale defends the title in a unification with the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) super flyweight title in Scotland this Friday, September 4.

Abban’s emergence has been carefully built over the past year. He captured the WBA Pan African and Commonwealth Silver titles on New Year’s Day after Tanzanian opponent Muhsin Kizota failed to answer the bell for the third round. He had previously won the Commonwealth Youth title last October.

His progression also earned him a long-term management and promotional agreement with Landmark Promotions, headed by Anthony Kermah, formalising a partnership that had already produced substantial progress. Kermah has backed Abban’s ambition to become a world champion and has identified potential opportunities at the highest level.

The young Ghanaian had earlier signalled his world ambitions after stopping Benin’s Damien Zannou in April, and targeting the WBC International crown held by Charlie Edwards.

With his WBO ranking now secured, Abban’s path towards a world-title opportunity is gathering serious momentum.

The unanimous decision loss brings an early and unexpected end to Omar’s tournament, cutting short his campaign on the opening day of competition.​

Steping into Hall 5 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) as the first of ten Ghanaian boxers set to represent the nation, the 32-year-old experienced pugilist struggled to find his rhythm against his younger, rangier opponent.

The 24-year-old Mughalzai used his reach and sharp counter-punching to control all three rounds, earning a clean sweep on all five judges’ scorecards.​

The early elimination represents a major blow to Team Ghana’s podium ambitions in Glasgow. A two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medalist — having reached the semifinals at both Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 — Omar entered the bout as one of the Black Bombers’ most seasoned international competitors.​

With the former medalist now out of contention, attention within the Ghanaian camp turns to teammate Amadu Mohammed, the Accra 2023 Africa Games gold medalist, who begins his campaign in the men’s 55kg (bantamweight) round of 16, alongside the remaining members of the boxing contingent aiming to restore momentum in the ring.

Organised by KH Impact in collaboration with Wisdom Boxing Gym, the programme brought together 18 young participants, including both boxers and non-boxers, from three boxing clubs: Wisdom Boxing Gym (host club), Akotoku Academy, and Secondouts Gym.

The day began with an inspiring session on Ghana’s boxing heritage, led by Sarah Lotus Asare, who screened her Ghana Boxing Heritage video and delivered a short presentation highlighting the country’s rich boxing history.

The session encouraged participants to appreciate the achievements of past champions while recognising their own role in shaping the future of Ghanaian boxing.

The programme’s signature activity was a Vision Board Development Workshop, facilitated by KH Impact founder Kweku Hagan. With support from Sarah Lotus Asare and five dedicated volunteers, every participant created a personal vision board centred on their aspirations in boxing, education, career development, and family life.

The workshop encouraged the young people to set meaningful goals and develop a clear vision for their future beyond sport.

Adding further inspiration to the event was the presence of former world boxing champion Joseph Agbeko, affectionately known as “King Kong.” He shared his personal journey from Ghana to the world stage, encouraging participants to remain disciplined, resilient, and committed to their dreams.

Also in attendance was rising Ghanaian boxer Theophilus Allotey, who assisted with practical demonstrations during the technical boxing session and interacted with participants throughout the programme.

The practical component featured a 45-minute boxing skills and theory workshop led by Coach Elvis Robertson and supported by Coach Emmanuel Quaye, Coach E. Adjei, and trainee coach Bright Okoe. Participants learned fundamental boxing techniques, competition rules, safety practices, and the importance of discipline inside and outside the ring.

Recognising that sporting excellence extends beyond training, nutritionist Emmanuel Justice Osei Twumasi delivered an engaging session on healthy eating, demonstrating how locally available Ghanaian foods can support athletic performance, recovery, and overall wellbeing.

At the conclusion of the programme, participants left with much more than new knowledge. Each young person took home a personalised vision board, boxing equipment, valuable life lessons, and a shared meal reinforcing the programme’s commitment to nurturing the whole person rather than simply developing athletes.

Speaking after the event, organisers described the programme as the beginning of a long-term effort to equip young people with the mindset, knowledge, and support needed to succeed both inside and outside the boxing ring.

The success of the maiden KH Impact Youth Mentorship Programme demonstrated the power of collaboration between community organisations, coaches, mentors, and former champions in shaping the future of Ghana’s youth. Organisers hope to expand the initiative in the coming years, reaching more young people and strengthening pathways for personal development through sport.

Credit: Wisdom Boxing Gym

The young boxer, a native of Osu, delivered a standout performance throughout the competition, culminating in a closely contested final bout against his teammate, Elliot Ayi-Bontey.

Quartey secured victory with a 2:1 decision, showcasing composure and skill beyond his years.

His achievement was witnessed by his proud mother, who enrolled him at Wisdom Boxing Gym earlier this year. Speaking after the bout, she expressed her joy at her son’s rapid development.

She noted that bringing him to the gym consistently from Monday to Friday has not only improved his abilities but also ensured he enjoys the process. For her, his happiness and growth remain the top priorities.

Coach Asare also praised the young fighters, expressing satisfaction with their overall performance in the tournament.

He highlighted the potential both Ishmael and Elliot have shown, emphasizing that their progress is a result of dedication and structured training.

Both finalists competed in a premier-style juvenile boxing tournament and successfully advanced to the finals, underlining the strength of the program at Wisdom Boxing Gym.

The coach further commended assistant coaches Emmanuel Quaye and Emmanuel Adjei for their commitment and the quality work they have done with the boys.

In the end, it was Ishmael Quartey who stood out, claiming the championship title in the 23–26 kg division and announcing himself as a promising young talent to watch.

Credit: Sarah Lotus Asare

The event, organized in collaboration with Outboxed, highlighted the growing depth of grassroots boxing talent in the capital.

The competition, which ran from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, featured young athletes in weight classes ranging from 20–23kg to 44–47kg. The five-hour showcase maintained a high tempo throughout, with bouts characterized by skill, discipline, and determination.

One of the standout moments of the evening came from Joseph Martey, who secured an impressive stoppage victory, earning one of the highest-scoring performances of the event and drawing loud applause from spectators.

Across all divisions, participants demonstrated commendable sportsmanship and technical ability, reflecting the strong developmental structure within Ghana’s boxing ecosystem. Wisdom Boxing Gym, established in 1993, has long been recognized as a key hub for nurturing boxing talent, having produced numerous national and international competitors over the years.

Despite the overall success, the event was not without controversy, as some concerns were raised regarding officiating decisions. Organizers addressed the issue promptly, advising referees and judges to uphold fairness and transparency in future bouts to maintain the integrity of the competition.

At the conclusion of the preliminary rounds, 18 boxers successfully qualified for the upcoming gold medal bouts, setting the stage for an even more competitive finale.

The Accra Box Cup stands as another positive step in promoting youth boxing in Ghana, reinforcing the role of community-based initiatives and partnerships in developing the next generation of champions.

Credit: Wisdom Boxing Gym

Azania previously served as the vice president of the Nigeria Boxing Federation before taking over as an interim president at the later stages of the former NBF board.

The widely experienced sports administrator also served as the vice president of the African Boxing Confederation (AFBC), where he initiated several reforms to the advancement of the squared ropes sports in the continent.

The NBF board believes Azania’s wealth of experience, both local and internationally, will provide a great deal of knowledge in correcting the ills in pro-boxing activities in the country.

Omo-Agege’s appointment came in the wake of widespread rejection of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control (NBBofC) by several international boxing body such as the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, ABU, and BoxRec, the official record keeper of combat sports globally.

These reputable international boxing bodies have disowned the (NBBofC) despite a purported approval letter from the National Sports Commission (NSC). They cited knavery activities associated with boxers age falsification, pre-planned fight results, and financial improprieties, amongst other unethical actions.

On this basis, BoxRec and other international bodies have resolved to work directly with the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) as the only institution recognized by law to oversee all aspects of boxing activities in Nigeria.

The NBF said it has become imperative for it to take charge of pro-boxing in the country since professional boxers are now allowed to fight in the Olympics. Any pro boxer with fifteen (15) fights or below is now allowed to compete at the Olympics. Hence, the Nigeria Boxing Federation have resolved to monitor and generate a proper records for its professional boxers without depending on any external sources for such essentials.

The Federation’s leadership praised the National Sports Commission (NSC ) for its strong stance against age falsification and other unethical actions in Nigerian sports. They appreciate the commission for its support in this critical phase as they further affirmed that the ongoing reforms in Nigerian boxing is in line with the NSC’s Renewed Hope for Nigeria’s Sports Economy (RHINSE) aimed at setting all aspects of the nation’s sports on a progressive trajectory.

The apex boxing body in the country is also of the view that the National Sports Commission may not have been properly briefed on the operations of the (NBBofC) as the law solely recognized the Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) as the body to oversee all aspects of boxing in the country.

SIGNED

Mathew Okugbe, Director Of Communications-Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF)

The former world heavyweight champion ended his latest retirement and 16-month break by dominating Russian Makhmudov to earn scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Fury’s British rival Joshua watching on from ringside among a crowd of approximately 60,000.

Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs), 37, from the Isle of Man, patiently boxed behind his jab for an efficient rather than spectacular comeback, which showed he still has a sharp boxing brain and good footwork.

Makhmudov (21-3, 19 KOs) was an obliging opponent as he marched forward recklessly at times, inviting Fury to pick him off.

It was a return to winning ways for Fury following back-to-back points losses in world title fights to Oleksandr Usyk in his previous two appearances.

After his first win in England since a WBC title defence against Derek Chisora in December 2022, Fury turned his attention to Joshua. Fury is urging his compatriot to fight him next, rather than former WBC champion Deontay Wilder, 40, who recently beat fellow veteran Chisora on points.

Talking to Joshua, who had been filming the fight on his cellphone, following the victory, Fury said: “Next I want to give you the fight you have all been waiting for. I want you, Anthony Joshua, let’s give the fight fans what they want, a Battle of Britain.

“I, the Gypsy King, challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept the challenge? Do not run from me this time, let’s dance.”

Joshua didn’t accept Fury’s invitation to join him in the ring and said there was no deal for them to fight.

The 80,000-seat Croke Park stadium in Dublin has emerged as an option to stage the megafight in September should former world champion Joshua, 36, decide against an interim, warmup bout.

There have been various attempts to make Fury vs. Joshua happen in the last six years without success and most recently discussions were put on hold after Joshua was involved in a car accident which killed two of his friends in Nigeria in December. 

Joshua, who is currently training with his former conqueror Usyk, might want a warmup fight this summer before facing Fury, which would push their fight back to late 2026.

Credit: Graphic Sports

A statement announcing the appointment said the role will involve support in establishing core teams to enhance the promotion of boxing in the region.

According to the statement, the committee would provide further directives regarding upcoming regional orientation workshops and meetings to guide feedback collection and structural adjustments to ensure the effective management of boxing activities nationwide.

Reacting to the appointment, Foster Enam Dagadu who previously served on the Executive Committee of Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), expressed gratitude to the GBIMC for the honour and promised to unleash his expertise gathered from the GBA to promote the sports in the region.

He also appealed to relevant institutions including the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC), District Assemblies, Members of Parliament, the Sports Minister, Hon. Kofi Adams, who himself is a native of the Oti region and all boxing lovers in the region to lend their support toward the promotion and effective management of the sport, as he observed, boxing holds immense opportunities for the region and the country as a whole.

The Ghana Boxing Interim Management Committee (GBIMC), established by the Ministry of Sports and Recreation (MoSR) and the National Sports Authority (NSA) among other mandates, is tasked with reforming and safeguarding Ghanaian boxing.

The GBIMC is also tasked with overseeing the sport and recommending reforms to restore safety, credibility, and competitiveness.

Credit: The New Republic

The bout, held on thw night of March 6 at the Cathedral Clinic in Accra, was more than just another professional contest. Antwi used the occasion to pay tribute to the hero of Ghana’s independence, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in a powerful display of national pride and historical remembrance.

For his fourth professional bout, Antwi entered the ring wearing a symbolic outfit inspired by Ghana’s heritage.

He spotted a “Pride of Ghana” t-shirt embossed with the image of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah dressed in traditional ‘kente’ cloth, a powerful symbol of Ghanaian culture and leadership.

The look was completed with gloves in the colors of the Ghanaian flag and striking white-and-black gladiator-style boxing shorts. The message behind the outfit was clear: ‘Ghana’s independence was not given, it was earned.’

Through decades of struggle, resistance, and political mobilisation, Ghana became the first sub-Saharan African nation to gain independence from colonial rule in 1957.

Antwi’s tribute served as a reminder that the freedom enjoyed today came through the sacrifices and determination of earlier generations.

Adding to the significance of the moment, Antwi made his ring walk to the iconic highlife classic tune, ‘Ghana – Land of Freedom’ by legendary musician, E. T. Mensah and his Tempos Band. The song, which celebrates Ghana’s independence and national spirit, connected the country’s historic past with the present moment in the ring.

Once the bell rang, Antwi quickly turned symbolism into action. He dominated the contest and stopped Mankattah in the opening round with a decisive knockout, marking an emphatic victory early in his professional career.

According to his trainer, Coach Ofori Asare, the young boxer has continued to improve steadily since making his professional debut last year.

“Antwi has shown significant improvement since his first professional fight,” Coach Asare observed.

“He continues to grow every day in training, and we are confident that the best is yet to come.”

As Antwi continues to build momentum in the professional ranks, moments like this reflect not only his growing ability in the ring but also his commitment to honouring Ghana’s history and identity.

With his fourth professional victory now secured, Antwi and his team are already preparing for the next challenge. Fans can expect to see him back in action again later this year as he continues his journey in professional boxing.

Credit: Wisdom Boxing Gym