Ghana Boxing Industry has huge potential - Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Promotions

Mr. Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Promotions, believes that Ghana's boxing industry has the potential to bolster the country's economy and transform lives, particularly for those in impoverished areas.

Speaking as a special guest on Omashi TV's "The Big Fight Night," Boakye shared his journey, recounting how he was invited as a young man to help draft the constitution of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA). This document was later reviewed, approved, and adopted by stakeholders at a well-organized congress.

Boakye, born in Ga Mashie, Accra, to a Kwahu father and an Ewe mother, has a deep understanding of the city's diverse lifestyles. In 2008, he and a few friends founded Box Office Promotions in James Town after noticing a gap in organized bouts despite ongoing boxer training.

"Our ambition was to stage international bouts in Ghana and create our own champions," Boakye explained. "We succeeded with Asamoah Gyan's Baby Jet Promotions, producing Emmanuel 'Game Boy' Tagoe as the IBO champion. We aimed to continue the legacy of the pioneers who staged world title fights in Ghana, following DK Poison's historic world title win."

Boakye emphasized Ghana's reputation as the "Mecca of African Boxing" and the importance of maintaining this status. However, he acknowledged the high costs and often limited profits of boxing promotion, highlighting the need for good sponsorship.

He pointed out that boxing generates employment not just for boxers and their management teams, but also for medical personnel, media, security staff, card girls, ring announcers, and ring fixers. Therefore, it is essential to conduct promotions effectively.

Boakye called for support from corporate Ghana and the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the amateur boxing category. He mentioned his contributions at the grassroots level, organizing the annual Homowo Boxing Championship for juveniles and youth, with support from Base Pharmacy.

The next edition of the Greater Accra Amateur Boxing competition is scheduled for August 17, 2024, followed by elections for new executives in September. Boakye urged boxing fans to maintain decorum during matches and accept outcomes gracefully.

When asked about making promotions attractive, he said, "We give the fans what they want."

Boakye acknowledged recent leadership challenges in Ghanaian boxing and expressed his desire to run in the next election, believing his experience and expertise could lead to positive reforms.

He praised Omashi TV for promoting boxing in a way that resonates with fans and expressed optimism for the future of Ghanaian boxing. "The future is always bright because we have the talent. We need positive direction and commitment to give the fans what they want," he concluded.