Boxing is not for ‘Dada ba’ people - Azuma Nelson opens up on why his son quit boxing

Ghanaian boxing icon Azumah Nelson has shed light on his son, Dalvin Azumah Nelson Junior's decision to step away from the boxing ring, attributing it to the sport's demanding nature, particularly for those hailing from privileged backgrounds.

Nelson Junior commenced his boxing journey in 2017 but encountered challenges in balancing the sport with his education, leading to his retirement from boxing.

Azumah Nelson revealed that his son came to the realization that boxing is a pursuit better suited for individuals accustomed to adversity, rather than those who have enjoyed privileged upbringings.

While respecting his son's choice to leave boxing, Azumah Nelson expressed no apprehension, emphasizing the physical toll boxing takes and the unwavering commitment it demands.

“He realised that boxing is not for ‘Dada ba’ people. It’s a sport for hustlers and people from not-too-good backgrounds,” the former WBC featherweight champion told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.

“I’m not worried that he quit the sport because I wasn’t the one receiving the blows. He was the one receiving it and realized he could not take the blows.

“I introduced him to boxing at a young age and he grew up with it but he later realized he couldn’t do it again. It’s a difficult sport that requires dedication and determination. You wake up at 4 am to go for jogging and then hit the gym a few hours later.”

Azumah Nelson, a dominant force in the featherweight and super featherweight divisions during the 1980s and 1990s, holds a revered position in African boxing. With a remarkable record of 39 wins, two draws, and six losses in 47 bouts, he has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

Although Azumah Nelson's son has chosen a different path, boxing continues to flourish in Ghana. Rising talents like Abubakar Kamoko, son of Bukom Banku, are making significant strides in the sport. Kamoko's recent silver medal at the 2023 African Games underscores Ghana's enduring legacy of boxing excellence, building upon the achievements of previous generations.