GBF
Ghana’s lone representative, THEOPHILUS KPAKPO ALLOTEY, also known as Theo Lopez, was narrowly defeated by his South Korean adversary, INKYU KIM, in a close match decided by a 2-3 split decision. Unfortunately, this loss means he misses out on advancing to the quarterfinals and is now out of contention in the ongoing WQT Boxing Road to Paris 2024 tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
The excitement is palpable as the African Games draw near, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, from March 8th to the 23rd. Among the highly anticipated events, boxing will command attention, commencing on March 15th and concluding on the 23rd, following the rigorous balloting and pairings slated for the 14th.
The stage for these electrifying bouts will be none other than the esteemed Bukom Boxing Arena and Ga Mashie Hall within the Trust Sports Emporium, Korle-Gonnor, nestled in the heart of Accra.
At the forefront of Ghana’s boxing contingent stand two formidable athletes: Samuel Takyi, affectionately dubbed the “Ring Warrior,” and Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, known in the ring as “Theo Lopez.” Both Takyi and Allotey are poised to lead the charge for the Black Bombers and Hitters, aiming to secure a coveted position atop the medal standings.
Fresh off his remarkable performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he secured Ghana’s fourth-ever boxing medal with a bronze in the featherweight division, Samuel Takyi remains a beacon of hope for the nation. Joining him is Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, currently ranked third in Africa in the flyweight category. The duo, alongside five other talented pugilists, are currently honing their skills in Busto Arsizio, Italy, vying for a spot in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games while simultaneously preparing for their mission on home soil.
With Takyi now competing in the light-welterweight division, the Ghanaian boxing fraternity is abuzz with anticipation, as they envision the duo clinching gold at the Africa Games, formerly known as the All Africa Games.
Since its inception in 1965 in Congo Brazzaville, Ghana has proudly claimed only three gold medals at the Africa Games. These notable victories include Azumah Nelson’s triumph in the featherweight division and Adama Mensah’s success in the heavyweight category, both achieved in 1978 in Algiers. Additionally, Steve Dotse secured another gold medal for Ghana in 1991, competing in Cairo.
As Ghana aims to add to its illustrious boxing legacy, the spotlight shines brightly on Takyi and Allotey, along with other formidable contenders such as Joseph Commey, Abdul Wahid Omar, and Amadu Mohammed.
With the Bukom Boxing Arena and Ga Mashie Hall set to witness these thrilling encounters, anticipation builds as Ghana’s boxing maestros prepare to leave an indelible mark on their home turf.
📸Photo caption: Samuel Takyi (right) and Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (left).
✍🏼 GBF MEDIA
In a commanding display of skill and strategy, Janet Acquah faced a formidable opponent in Taipei’s Guo-Yi-Xuan, ultimately succumbing to a unanimous 0-5 defeat in the women’s Flyweight -50kg category at the ongoing WQT Boxing Road to Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Busto-Arsizio, Italy.
This setback for Janet leaves Ghana’s hopes pinned on Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey in the Flyweight -51kg division as the lone contender striving for a berth in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
All eyes now turn to Theo Lopez as he prepares to take on his South Korean adversary, Inkyu Kim, in a crucial match slated for Sunday, with a quarterfinals berth on the line.
With the exit of the other five Ghanaian boxers from the Italy qualifiers, the pressure mounts for Theo Lopez to secure Ghana’s representation in the prestigious Olympic event.
As the competition intensifies, Ghana’s boxing contingent faces an uphill battle, but with determination and grit, they aim to seize the last opportunity to qualify for Paris 2024, with the upcoming window in Bangkok, Thailand, from May to June 2024 looming large on the horizon.
GBF MEDIA
Watch the highlights as Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey, also known as Theo Lopez, achieves another remarkable unanimous victory, defeating Tashi Wangdi of Bhutan with a score of 5-0. This victory propels him into the men’s Flyweight-51Kg round of 16, placing him just two wins away from earning a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The next challenge for Theo Lopez comes against Korean boxer Inkyu Kim on Sunday, March 10th. This pivotal bout will determine his advancement to the quarterfinals of the Boxing Road to Paris qualifiers in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
Stay tuned for more updates from the #BlackBombers and the Ghana Boxing Federation (#GBF) as Theo Lopez continues his journey towards Paris 2024. #TheophilusKpakpoAllotey #TheoLopez #Road2Paris
Ghana’s Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey aka Theo Lopez, Flyweight -51kg just won 5-0 unanimously against his Bhuntan opponent TASHI WANGDI to advance to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing WQT Boxing Road to Paris 2024.
Ghana’s Theophilus Kpakpo Allottey continues to shine as the nation’s beacon of hope in the ongoing WTQ Boxing Road to Paris 2024 Olympic games in Busto-Arsizio, Italy.
The rising star, also known as Theo Lopez, is poised for victory today, aiming to compensate for the premature exits of five other Ghanaian boxers in the World Olympic Qualifiers. This includes the unexpected departure of Samuel Takyi, Africa’s lone boxing medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games.
Theophilus Allotey, a skilled flyweight hailing from the Wisdom Boxing Club in Accra, delivered a significant boost to Ghana and Africa with his commanding unanimous points victory over Taipei’s World Championships quarter-finalist, Tu Po-Wei, during the tournament’s opening day.
Now advancing to the round of 16, he is set to face TASHI WANGDI from Bhutan later today. Bhutan, situated on the eastern edge of the Himalayas, is a Buddhist kingdom in South Asia.
📸 Captured in the frame: Ghana’s own THEOPHILUS KPAKPO ALLOTEY, also known as Theo Lopez.
✍🏼 AFBC Communications & GBF MEDIA
We are thrilled to announce that our team has landed in Busto-Arzizio, Italy, gearing up for the 1st WQT, Boxing Road To @Paris2024. Everything is in place for the event, kicking off tomorrow from March 3rd to 11th, 2024.
GBF MEDIA
Countdown to the African Games in Accra, Ghana, March 8-23
TAKYI BACK IN GHANA TEAM
▫️ He will lead the Black Bombers onslaught for that elusive overall position in the African Games
Ghana’s wonderboy at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Samuel Takyi is reportedly back in the national team to lead them in their quest to make a big impression at home in next month’s African Games in Accra.
Authoritative sources told AFBC Communications Takyi, the fourth Ghanaian boxer to win an Olympic medal – featherweight bronze at the Tokyo Olympics – is currently training with the Black Bombers in readiness for the “carpet bombing” mission in Accra.
It’s understood he will fight in the light-welterweight division.
This means they’ll be fire in this weight class loaded with tough boxers. There’s two-time Africa champion Algeria’s Jugurtha Ait Bekkah, DR Congo’s explosive puncher Fiston Mulumba Mbaya, Nigeria’s promising southpaw Ridwan Ige, South Africa’s punching machine John Masamba, Eswatini’s Moscow-trained Thabiso Dlamini and Cameroon’s Mohamed Oumarou who showed flashes of brilliance at last year’s World Championships in Tashkent.
For all their boxing prowess, Ghana have yet to win the overall crown in the African Games. Whether Takyi will enable them clinch the crown this time around remains to be seen.
The 24-year-old Takyi ended Ghana’s 49-year-drought to win bronze in Tokyo, the fourth Olympic boxing medal for Ghana since Prince Amartey’s middleweight bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Takyi’s decisive 3-2 quarter-final victory over Columbian southpaw, Ceiber David Avila, assured him of a bronze medal in the semis. He lost to Duke Ragan of the USA in the last four to emerge the only medallist out of 49 boxers from Africa who participated in the Tokyo Olympics. Had he defeated Ragan, Takyi, the son of a fishmonger Eunice Smith, would have become the second Ghanaian boxer to punch his way to the Olympic finals after Clement Quartey in 1960 in Rome. Quartey won a silver after losing to Bohumil Nemecek of Czechoslovakia.
With Olympic bronze under his belt, Takyi’s next goal was to graduate to the paid ranks but some Ghanaians in the boxing fraternity were against him turning professional. Takyi himself was also undecided.
Ghana’s former WBA welterweight champion Ikey Quartey added his voice on Takyi’s pro move by saying the Olympic bronze medallist should be left alone to decide on his own whether or not he wants to fight bare-chested.
Eventually Takyi decided he will turn pro. According to boxrec, a website for updated records of professional and amateur boxers, Takyi is so far unbeaten in three fights.
📸Ghana’s Samuel Takyi (left) trading leather with Columbian southpaw David Avila at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
✍🏼 AFBC Communications
DSI Bernard Quartey, the President of the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), served as the representative for Ghana at the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) congress held in Dubai, UAE.
You cannot copy content of this page
