The Boxing Hub: Exploring the Vibrant Community Behind Ghana's Boxing Legends

"When you're in Jamestown," Abdul Wahid Omar explains, "you have to toughen up."

In this impoverished neighborhood, children have endless energy but limited opportunities to use it positively. But then boxing arrives, offering a pathway to a safer future - and even potential fame through dedication and hard work. This story is a familiar one, echoed in cities around the world from Havana to Manila to Philadelphia.

However, there are few places that embody this narrative as well as Bukom, Jamestown. Located in a coastal district of Accra, Ghana, Bukom is renowned as a hub for boxing and a training ground for fighters like 29-year-old Omar. With six national titles under his belt, Omar has represented Ghana at the Olympics and currently leads the national team as they prepare for the upcoming Paris Games.

Omar is following in the footsteps of legendary boxers such as Azumah “The Professor” Nelson and DK Poison (real name, David Kotei). Nelson, a former featherweight and super-featherweight world champion in the 1980s-90s, is often regarded as the greatest African boxer of all time. DK Poison, on the other hand, became Ghana’s first world champion in the 1970s. Like Omar, these champions honed their skills in Bukom, a neighborhood that has produced an impressive eight world champions from its small collection of gyms.

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The Ghanaian community with boxing at its heart

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Local boxing legend and trainer Charles Quartey shares, "We have a natural inclination for fighting. It's in our genes."

In March, Ghana welcomed the African Games and showcased a vibrant boxing program centered in Bukom. CNN had the opportunity to speak with experienced boxers and up-and-coming talent before the tournament.

Bukom is a neighborhood where boxing is not just a sport, but a part of their heritage. Gyms spill out onto the streets, squares become makeshift rings, and ropes are surplus to requirement - an assembled crowd will do. Sun-bleached posters of past champions loom over low-rise housing, quietly observing their legacy in action. It is a place that truly loves boxing.

Gavua, an associate professor at the University of Ghana, has conducted extensive research on boxing in Jamestown as part of his anthropology studies. He believes that boxing plays a significant role in promoting social cohesion and harmony in the community. Despite the common misconception that boxing may lead to violence, Gavua found that Jamestown is actually one of the most peaceful places in Ghana, especially in Accra.

However, life for young people in this coastal community is not without its challenges. Quartey, a former amateur boxer who now operates a well-known gym, highlights the difficulties faced by the youth. Many struggle to afford their education, underscoring the obstacles they encounter in pursuit of a better future.

Charles Quartey, left, was a well-known amateur fighter.

“I was really fortunate,” he mentions. Quartey got involved in boxing and later joined the military. After traveling to the US, he returned to find his friends still in the same jobs. Instead of focusing on himself, Quartey decided to help the younger generation by opening a gym. The gym aims to provide a safe space for children, supporting them both inside and outside the ring. “We look after them,” he explains. “We provide clothes, meals, and education. Our goal is to ensure these boys have a bright future and do not end up wasting their potential in the community.”

Bukom is known as the "Home of champions" because its gyms are highly competitive, both internally and with each other. Some of the major clubs, such as the Black Panthers Gym and the Wisdom Gym (the main national training gym), participate in the Ghana Professional Boxing League. This league is a team event that regularly takes place at the Bukom Boxing Arena, which was opened in 2016. This arena is the first purpose-built venue of its kind in Ghana and has become a focal point for the community. It is also a popular spot for the nation's up-and-coming boxers, who attend events like the boxing league, which is broadcast on MAX TV Ghana.

"I see Jamestown as a university for boxing. According to Ofori Asare, coach of the national team known as "The Black Bombers," if you are a talented boxer from another region in Ghana, Jamestown is the place to be."

The Black Bombers have been the most successful of all Ghana's Olympic teams, winning four out of the country's total of five medals since they started competing in 1952. They recently showcased their skills at the Africa Games in March, a significant event on the path to the Olympics.

The finals of the program were held at the Bukom Boxing Arena on March 22.

One of the victorious athletes was Samuel Takyi, who won in the featherweight category. He had previously won a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, making him the first Ghanaian to win an Olympic medal since 1992.

Takyi, who was born and raised in Bukom, began boxing at the age of nine. Now 23 years old, he trains at the Wisdom Boxing Gym. He proudly describes Bukom as the home of champions, mentioning past boxing legends who have opened their own gyms in the area. According to Takyi, "The boxing culture thrives naturally here."

Joseph Agbeko, a two-time world champion, is one of the renowned boxers from Bukom. When asked about the secret to his success, Agbeko always emphasizes the importance of being prepared. He recalls receiving only three weeks' notice before his first world title fight in 2007. Despite losing the title in 2009, Agbeko managed to regain it the following year, showcasing his resilience and the fighting spirit of both himself and his hometown, Bukom.

Samuel Takyi recently took gold at the Africa Games, held in Ghana.

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Olympic dreams

Ghana’s Olympic aspirants will need to bring their fighting spirit to the upcoming competitions. Currently, no Ghanaian boxers have qualified for the Paris Games due to the complex selection process involving continental qualifiers, world qualifiers, and a quota system that is not in favor of African fighters this year. Their last chance to qualify will be at a second world qualifying tournament in Bangkok, Thailand in May.

Despite the challenges, there is still hope for boxers like Joseph Commey. He achieved gold at the Africa Games in March and secured a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. With his impressive track record, there is optimism for his success in the upcoming tournaments.

Commey, the latest generation of a family of Bukom boxers, carries on the moniker “The Jaguar” that his grandfather, a champion in the 1960s, once held. He trains diligently three times a day, following a well-known path: “I want to compete in the Olympic Games, win a medal, and then turn professional.”

Despite the challenges surrounding him, Commey has proven himself in Bukom. The saying goes, if you can succeed in Bukom, you can succeed anywhere.

“I think this year, I’ll be the greatest boxer in the world,” he adds. “I promise.”

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Editor's P/S:

Bukom, a small neighborhood in Accra, Ghana, is a testament to the power of boxing to transform lives. With eight world champions hailing from its humble streets, Bukom is a breeding ground for pugilistic excellence. The community's passion for boxing is palpable, with gyms spilling onto the streets and squares becoming makeshift rings. The sport plays a vital role in fostering social cohesion and providing a pathway to a brighter future for the youth.

Despite the challenges faced by young people in Bukom, such as limited educational opportunities, boxing offers a beacon of hope. Charles Quartey, a former amateur boxer, runs a gym that provides a safe space for children, supporting them both inside and outside the ring. The Ghana Professional Boxing League and Bukom Boxing Arena have further boosted the community's boxing scene, attracting talented fighters from across the country. The upcoming Paris Games will be a crucial test for Ghana's Olympic aspirants, and Bukom's boxers will undoubtedly be at the forefront, carrying the fighting spirit that has made their neighborhood a global hub for boxing.