Ghana's first boxing Olympic medalist Ike Quartey has died

Ghanaian boxing legend Clement Ike Quartey passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2024, as confirmed by the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF).

He was 84 years old and died in the United Kingdom, though further details regarding his passing have not been released.

Quartey enjoyed a remarkable boxing career, competing in 42 professional bouts and achieving 37 wins, with an impressive 31 victories by knockout.

He sustained only four losses and had one draw. Known for his powerful jabs, Quartey fought across multiple weight divisions, including the WBA welterweight, light-welterweight, and light-middleweight classes.

At the peak of his career, Quartey held the WBA welterweight title for four consecutive years, from 1994 to 1998.

One of the most memorable moments in his career was his highly anticipated 1999 match against American boxing star Oscar De La Hoya at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In addition to his professional success, Quartey represented Ghana on the global stage, winning a silver medal in the men’s Light Welterweight (63.5 kg) category at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia.