Nii Gonti Adjor1, Atukpai Mantse has called on Ghanaians to respect the business of Boxing and the practitioners of the sport.

Speaking on The Big Fight Night Show on Omashi TV, he expressed his disappointment in some people who were on social media criticising the son of President John Dramani Mahama, Sharaf Mahama for staging one of the spectacular boxing shows at the Bukom Boxing Arena dubbed 'The Battle of the Beasts' which involved Ghanaian and foreign boxers, and invitation of former world champion Anthony Joshua as special guest.

According to Nii Adjor 1 who is also known as Nii Adama Addy and owner of The Gym as well as CEO of Great Aim Academy and Omashi Media, it is about time that people give respect to other professions especially boxers, promoters, managers, matchmakers cut men and everyone who contributes to the sport.

He said the nation has failed to position boxing right to make it the lucrative venture like it is done in the United States of America,  United Kingdom, Mexico, Ukraine, Morocco,  South Africa and other countries.

"Boxing is big business, but as a nation we have had leaders who know nothing about sports and so make sportsmen and boxers suffer instead of respecting them and making them contribute to development and progress of the country" he said.

Nii Adjor who trained and managed Joseph Agbeko to win the IBF World and Commonwealth Bantamweight titles noted that many Ghanaians need to be educated about boxing because it is not how they think and boxing is not for vagabonds.

"Boxing is a much respected business that is why many great men are involved and they wear suit and tie at ringside to watch".

He blamed some matchmakers and promoters for encouraging 'Atsiagbeshie' otherwise known as fixed bouts that is affecting the business and not allowing boxers to fight against each other.

He commended Daniel Gorsh and Theophilus Allotey for accepting to put up a great display on the Legacy Rise Sports bill.

"We need more of such fights to inspire more business people to invest in boxing" he said.

He indicated that local champions must fight the best boxers on the local scene before they can travel to beat others outside.

He revealed that boxing has made him and will never sit anywhere to hear someone talking bad about boxing without reacting.

"If we do the boxing business well in Ghana, people will get interested to sponsor and invest" he stressed.

He observed that the main issue is sponsorship, while the government must allow the sport to spread and generate more heroes and champions.

He called on stakeholders to unite and have one voice to save Ghana Boxing.

"I think the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) needs an advisory body or patrons to advise the President and Board when it is necessary like this period when there is some confusion regarding their Congress and Elections" he expressed.

Nii Gonti Adjor 1, who was the first to polish and equip his training center (The Gym) to be attractive hinted that was his contribution to support the youth of Ga Mashie, Accra who love to box.

He said boxing can change the lives of many people so it should be respected and led by level headed people.

By Sammy Heywood Okine