Olympic bronze medalist Samuel Takyi of Ghana will make his pro debut against Kamalrudeen Boyefio Friday, April 15 in Accra.
The super featherweight bout will headline a card at the Accra City Hotel and will be organized by Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate, an outfit owned by retired former welterweight champion and Ghana boxing legend, Ike “Bazooka” Quartey.
“This is the right time to begin my professional career and I’m ready for my debut fight,” Takyi told BoxingAfrica.com during a press conference to announce the bout Thursday at Accra City Hotel.
“I am with the right team and I’m very confident of an emphatic win in my debut fight.”
Takyi added that he expects Quartey to transform him into a world champion as his trainer beginning with Boyefio (11-10, 11 KOs).
“So many people came on board but I was convinced with ‘Bazooka’ because he has seen it all and has what it takes to lead me to the promise land,” Takyi said.
“He has a lot to teach me and I’m already learning from him. Training has been fantastic with him so far.”
The 21-year-old’s decision to turn pro comes on the heels of an impressive performance at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo which saw him end Ghana’s 29-year drought by bringing home the bronze medal.
Takyi’s decision to end his amateur career ended Ghana’s quest to include him to the Black Bombers team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in July. He was initially slated to make his pro debut on January 29 but those plans fell through.
Now he faces the veteran Boyefio (11-10, 11 KOs) with the hopes of the entire Ghana boxing nation on his shoulders.
Quartey is expected to build Takyi’s career from home before moving him to the US. Takyi will then train under Quartey’s longtime trainer, Daniel Oko Odamtten.
Quartey announced that he has decided to build a gym with the right equipment to nurture Takyi’s career.
“I decided to sign him so I can help with my expertise,” Quartey said.
“He has the talent and showed it at the Olympics by winning bronze. The likes of Floyd Mayweather and Deontay Wilder all won bronze at the Olympics and became world champions. That is what I want to make him.
“The plan is to kick-start the career here with about four fights so I can take him to the US to become a champion. I need the best gym to get him in great shape so I’ve shipped some equipment to have my own gym to prepare him here.”
When asked if that puts an end to training at his parent gym Discipline Boxing Club, Takyi said, “I don’t have any problem with my previous trainers at Discipline Gym because most of them are here to support my project.
“They will forever be part of me and I owe them a lot. I call on them and Ghanaians to continue supporting me to make my dream of becoming a world champion a reality,” Takyi told BoxingAfrica.com.
