Ghana continues to nurture a new breed of potential world champions.
From the legendary Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey to Richard Commey and Isaac Dogboe today, the country has proven to be the breadbasket of African boxing. Over the years, Ghana’s boxing tradition has continuously produced up and coming fighters capable of making a name for themselves at the world stage, from multiple world champions to a slew of contenders.
That tradition continues today. So who are these newcomers looking to announce themselves to the world? Here is a look at 10 of Ghana’s best prospects:
(10) CHARLES TETTEH (SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT)
Tetteh is one of the hottest young boxers today, having recently won the national super featherweight championship when he earned a unanimous decision victory over John Quaye.
The 21-year-old boxer, who trains out of the Panix Gym in Accra, dominated Quaye with his power and speed to silence his tough-talking opponent. The victory led to him being crowned as the overall best boxer of the just-ended Ghana Professional Boxing League. He is on course to reach higher heights with proper nurturing.
(9) MICHAEL ABBAN (SUPER FLYWEIGHT)
Nicknamed “Black Spider,” Abban is an athletic southpaw with a high ring IQ. Still only just 19-years-old, Abban (6-0, 4 KOs) is quickly running through Ghana’s premier super flyweights, including Isaac Quaye in March 2022.
Abban, who trains out of the Black Panthers Boxing Club, has yet to be tested as a pro but given what we’ve seen so far, the sky is the limit.
(8) MOSES ADJEI SELVI (SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT)
Selvi started out at the Sea View Boxing Club at Jamestown in Accra but switched to The Gym following his pro debut in April 2021. That night, he fought fellow top prospect Michael Decardi Nelson to a six-round draw.
Selvi (5-0-1, 5 KOs) has been on a tear since. The 20-year-old prospect has won five straight, all of them inside the distance, including a second-round stoppage of Emmanuel Okine in April 2022. Who knows? Maybe a rematch versus Nelson will be in Selvi’s future.
(7) MICHAEL DECARDI NELSON (BANTAMWEIGHT)
The 21-year-old Nelson trains out the famous Akotoku Boxing Academy in Accra, the gym founded in 1974 by the late Francis Attuquaye Clottey where legends such as Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, David “Poison” Kotey and Alfred Kotey honed their craft.
Nelson (6-0-1, 5 KOs) drew with fellow top prospect Moses Adjei Selvi in April 2021. Since then he has won three straight, including a wide 12-round unanimous decision over hard-nosed veteran Raymond Commey last September.
(6) DANIEL GORSH (SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT)
Gorsh joined the Bronx Boxing Club in Jamestown at age eight. He went on to become an amateur standout and now, as a pro, in Accra, is currently the national super bantamweight champion.
Having defeated veteran George Krampah to win the national championship last month, Gorsh (4-0, 4 KOs) continues to make a case for himself as one of the nation’s surest bets for the future.
(5) MOHAMMED ARYEETEY (FLYWEIGHT)
Aryeetey fought Jeronil Borres to a controversial eight-round split decision draw in his US debut last August, a sign that the 19-year-old Aryeetey still requires more seasoning.
Even so, The Sea View Boxing Club fighter known as “Golden Boy’ has risen through the ranks to become Ghana’s finest flyweight. Next up is conquering the world.
(4) HOLY DORGBETOR (FEATHERWEIGHT)
A national featherweight titlist, Dorgbetor is a stylish fighter who utilizes well-schooled technical skill to overcome his opponents.
The 23-year-old, lanky Dorgbetor isn’t quite fully developed physically, which means his power may increase as he grows into his “man strength.” That lack of pop may have hurt him in his last bout, a June 2022 unanimous decision over Emmanual Quartey where Dorgbetor struggled to keep Quartey off him. Nonetheless, Dorgbetor (9-0, 5 KOs), who trains at The Gym in Accra, is one of Ghana’s most exciting prospects, the type who could develop exponentially with proper teaching and conditioning.
(3) JOHN LARYEA (FEATHERWEIGHT)
A product of the respected Bronx Boxing Club spearheaded by owner/trainer Lawrence Carl Lokko, Laryea is on the verge of graduating from prospect to contender. The hard-hitting Laryea (10-0-1, 8 KOs) is in line to be rated in the top 15 of the WBO featherweight rankings, having held the sanctioning body’s Africa title since July 2021.
At 22 years, Laryea has risen to become a force to reckoned with after series of impressive performances since his 2019 draw with Ezekiel Annan.
(2) SAMUEL TAKYI (LIGHTWEIGHT)
Takyi began his career at the Discipline Boxing Gym at Bukom in Accra where he trained as an amateur.
A year ago, Takyi announced his presence to the world when he ended Ghana’s 29-year wait for an Olympic medal by snatching the bronze in Tokyo.
The 21-year-old turned pro after the Olympics, signing with Ghana boxing legend Ike Quartey, who serves as both his promoter and his trainer. Takyi has won all three bouts as a pro, displaying a fierce aggression, power in both fists and youthful athleticism. The sky is the limit for this young prodigy.
(1) ALFRED LAMPTEY (SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT)
Lamptey trains out of Black Panthers Gym at Jamestown in Accra. He is touted as a future star in Ghana today due to his ring IQ that belies his 20 years.
The 5-foot-8 Lamptey (11-0, 8 KOs) is undefeated since making his pro debut three years ago. Since then, he’s displayed a high level of ring generalship, power in both fists, athleticism and sound technique.
Lamptey has held the national featherweight title, WBC Youth Silver and WBO Youth Super Featherweight belts respectively.
