Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) world welterweight champion Joshua Clottey has cast doubt on Ghana’s prospects of producing a world boxing champion within the next decade. Speaking at the Ultimate Legacy Boxing Bonanza, organized by Legacy Rise Sports, the renowned boxer shared his concerns about the current state of Ghanaian boxing, citing a lack of discipline and preparation among the new generation of fighters.
Clottey, a respected figure in Ghanaian sports, highlighted a troubling trend of complacency and inadequate training that he believes hinders the potential of the country’s boxers.
“Trust me, I don’t know when any of our current boxers will become a world champion,” Clottey said. “They have the quality but lack the discipline to make it big out there.”
The former champion lamented that some Ghanaian boxers are unwilling to commit to the rigorous training schedules necessary to compete on the world stage.
“Some of our boxers now refuse to do six weeks of training and would rather go in for two weeks of training for a major fight. This is a big problem affecting them these days,” Clottey explained. “Trust me, it is going to take a very long time to get a world champion.”
Clottey acknowledged the historical legacy of Ghanaian boxing, built by pacesetters like Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey, but emphasized that the current standards fall far short of that mark.
“To tell you the truth, I don’t see anything now or in the next five years, but all I know is that it’s going to be fine,” Clottey said, expressing faint hope that the situation could improve with time.
The former champion’s remarks underline a broader concern within Ghana’s boxing community about the lack of investment, mentorship, and discipline needed to elevate the sport to its former glory.
Clottey’s comments come as a wake-up call to stakeholders in Ghanaian boxing, including trainers, managers, and aspiring boxers, to address the gaps in preparation and discipline.
