The life of a boxing manager is rife with highs and lows. The good ones remain even keel, able to navigate through the sport dubbed the “Theater of the Unexpected.”
Streetwise Management CEO Michael Amoo-Bediako is all too familiar with this. Amoo-Bediako experienced both ups and downs in 2023.
With a new year upon us, Amoo-Bediako sat down with BoxingAfrica.com to discuss the status of his fighters, former world champion Richard Commey, super featherweight contender Oluwaseun Wahab, the current state of Ghana boxing, and much more.
Amoo-Bediako, who is looking forward to getting a new Commey, has his sights on grooming the next generation of Ghanaian boxers by giving them the right platform to excel.
Below is a question and answer session with the CEO of Streetwise Management:
Can you assess the year 2023 as far as Streetwise Management?
The year started off well, with Richard Commey, Joshua Wahab, Ahmed Hatim and Ahmed Abdulai all fighting in various countries during the month of March. Richard had a memorable fight against Jose Ramirez in Fresno, California, USA, in which he was unfortunately stopped in the 11th Round. Joshua Wahab retained his WBO super featherweight Africa title in Lagos, Nigeria, stopping his opponent in the 11th round, Ahmed Hatim continued his development in the UK with a 6th round shut out and Ahmed Abdulai stopping his opponent in the 5th of an 8-round contest in Accra, Ghana, and with one of our newest acquisitions, Nigerian Abdul Afeez Osoba making a winning debut in March, the year started of quite well.
Give us your thoughts on what transpired in Commey’s loss to Ramirez?
To be honest, Richard for some reason struggled to make the weight and I think that took a lot out of him. I was confident in Richard winning this fight that’s why we agreed it but after seeing what he had to go through at the official weigh-in, I was surprised to see the performance he put in. Richard has a heart of a lion but I think the weight loss took its toll in the end.
What is the plan for Richard going forward?
Before the Ramirez fight, I managed to negotiate a two-year extension of his current promotional deal with DiBella Entertainment but unfortunately due to a medical issue which I was informed about by his promoter, Richard is currently not medically fit to fight.
Some Ghanaians believe that Richard has accomplished much and should consider retiring from the sport. Do you share in that opinion?
I am led to believe that decision has been taken out of his hands.
Oluwaseun Wahab bounced back from his first career loss with the TKO win you referenced. What are the plans for him?
He is still signed to us and he also has a promotional agreement with DiBella Entertainment which was also negotiated by us. As I said, he managed to retain his WBO Africa title which has put him to #14 in their rankings. Throughout the year, we have been in constant dialogue with DiBella Entertainment to get him fights but opportunities have been few and far between. We are working towards getting him an international fight in the early part of this year.
Who are some other fighters that you manage?
All of the names I mentioned, plus two UK based prospects in Romanian Valentin Mogos who is 2-0 and will be competing at light heavyweight, and talented welterweight Rakim Tatou who has yet to make his debut due to injury but should be out around April. I also have two exciting prospects from Ghana I have just signed but yet to be announced. I am really looking forward to working with these two talented young fighters from the Motherland.
You’ve been at odds with the current Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) regime. Is that still the case?
To be honest, I have not been at odds with the GBA. There was an issue with Richard Commey which I supported him whole heartedly which led me to be indefinitely suspended by the GBA. I have kept quiet refraining from stating my case but I am hoping to heal any wounds I have with the GBA when I come to Ghana in April so that we can all move forward for the greater good of Ghana boxing.
What do you think of the current state of Ghana boxing?
Unfortunately for one reason or another it’s been static. There haven’t been enough promotions for the boxers to showcase their talents and develop their careers. Ghana has some of the best young talent in the world but unless we give them a platform, how are they going to improve from domestic fighters to International fighters and beyond?
What can be done to salvage the sport in Ghana?
There needs to be a conscious effort from all stakeholders and everyone involved in Ghana boxing to pull together, highlight where the problems are and try to solve them for the greater good of the sport.
