The global boxing qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics has been canceled and a European event was postponed from April to June.

The International Olympic Committee said Tuesday plans were changed because of “current challenges to international travel and related restrictions in many countries” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Boxers worldwide were to compete for 53 places in the Tokyo lineup at a tournament in Paris in June.

Those places will now be allocated equally across continents by world rankings based on results since 2017, the IOC said.

Olympic entries from Africa and the Asia-Oceania region will now be allocated by rankings while boxers in the Americas and Europe can still earn qualifying places in the ring.

An Americas tournament is scheduled for May 10-16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the European qualifiers should be in June at a venue to be decided.

The European event began in London last March then was stopped after three of 11 scheduled days when the pandemic was declared. London was to have hosted the postponed event this April.

An IOC-appointed panel is organizing the Tokyo boxing tournaments after recognition of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) was suspended over governance and finance issues.

There will be eight men’s weight classes and five women’s weight classes at the Tokyo Olympics, which are set to open July 23.

Source - AP

The Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) has appealed to the government to closely pay attention to the Black Bombers, the national boxing team in their preparations towards the Olympic Games.

President of the Association, Mr. Sammy Heywood Okine said the national amateur boxers need to be taken good care of if the people of Ghana expect them to win medals

He said for a boxer to win an Olympic medal, much investment must go into him or her because the event is very special and historic.

According to the experienced sports journalist, the Black Bombers are capable as boxing has awarded the nation most of its Olympic medals.

“If we invest we will reap. We cannot reap where we have not sown, and the Olympic Games is not a playing place. Every one who has qualified to represent at the Games is a champion, that is why they say participation is good, but winning a medal is better and winning the gold is the best. We have to go and win to make Africa proud” he expressed.

Mr. Heywood Okine who is Ag. Communications Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) suggested that the Black Bombers should move into residential camping, so that they are focused with no divided attention or attracted to social activities.

He added that they have to move out to an international camp in a boxing nation like the UK, Cuba, Canada, Russia to gain exposure and experience, adding that they need special nutritionist and a psychologist to make them aware of the mission to become Olympic Champions.

The Associate Editor of Boxinghana.com and country manager of African Sports Media Network disclosed the BWAG has been formed to promote boxing more professionally in the media, and reward members of the boxing family who excel in the duties. He assured boxing promoters of maximum support in terms on press coverage.

“We hope to improve relations between sports journalists and the boxing fraternity” he stressed.

Sulemana Tetteh (Flyweight) and Samuel Takyi (Featherweight) have qualified to represent Ghana at the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo, Japan in July and August 2021.

The last time Ghana won an Olympic medal was in 1992, when the Black Meteors won bronze, however boxing has already given the nation medals in 1962 (silver), 1964 (bronze) and 1972 (bronze)

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Special Monitoring Committee has adjusted its programmes with the global boxing qualifying tournament for the Tokyo Olympics canceled and an European event postponed from April to June.

From Naa Amerley Commey

Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Kostadin Papic left his position with immediate effect, Papic has been in charge of the rainbow club for barely three months.

The Serbian has tendered in his resignation letter the club's board following a crunch meeting on Monday. The 60-year-old was appointed in November 2020 for a second stint with the club having coached the club in 2009.

He replaced Edward Nii Odoom after just two matches into the 2020/2021 Ghana Premier League season. Papic guided the Phobians in 10 matches in the Ghanaian premiership where he won four, drew three and lost three.

His assistant, Joseph Asare Bediako also resigned from his post last week citing personal reasons. Hearts of Oak will now look for the new head coach to take over the club for the remainder of the season.

Andre Rozier, trainer for Ghanaian boxer Isaac Commey is not satisfied despite the boxer’s round six knockout of Jackson Marinez on Saturday.

Commey pummeled his Dominican Republican opponent with a heavy punch in the sixth round.

Speaking in an interview with FightHype, Rozier said that he expected more from Commey.

He observed the Ghanaian boxer was not expressive in the bout and was a bit lethargic in his approach.

“Commey has a good right hand and I expected to see him use a lot more of that. He and Teofimo Lopez both have those right hands and when you get caught by the hand, you will be in trouble.

"I thought Richard was a bit too tight for me. I wanted him to follow through a bit more with the left upper cut because I knew that Jackson loved to bend his knees a lot.

"The replays also show that Richard was using the right hand but I wanted him to add more of the left hand and use more of the left-right combination.”

Rozier also shed light on the relationship between Commey and Teofimo Lopez.

Lopez was spotted in Commey’s dressing room ahead of the bout to offer his support to the Ghanaian lightweight boxer.

“These two gentlemen have a special friendship and you could see the love that they have for each other. In the dressing room, I even thought they had to pry them apart because they were sharing lots of hugs. It is all about the love for boxing and it is business.”

Ghanaweb

Boxing no longer finds itself in the top ten sports with the highest mortality rate, a testament to changes made over several decades.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman commented on the news as his organization gears up to celebrate 58 years at the helm of improvements. Despite a terrible year in 2019, one of the worst on record for the sport of boxing, overall, there are significant safety enhancements.

Of the most dangerous activities, pugilism is now ranked lower down the table due to extreme sports popularity growth. Base-jumping has the highest mortality rate of all. Simultaneously, hang-gliding, motor racing, mountain-climbing, and cycling are all above trading blows.

With a rate of 1 in 2,200 participants, procedure additions over the year are helping combat the apparent dangers.

Discussing the WBC role, Sulaiman said: “The World Boxing Council was born and its mission, from day one, was to revolutionize, change and better the sport. “To make it more humane and safer for boxers. “In 1963, 43 boxers died from injuries in the ring in the world.

So many of those who retired ended up with their faculties severely weakened. “They had to live for the rest of their lives with a large number of severe health complications.

“Today boxing is so very different. The fights are no longer 15 rounds but 12. Weigh-ins are not six hours before the fight – they are a day before. “Gloves are no longer four or six ounces. They are eight or then. And today, there is women’s boxing.

“Before, there was no type of medical examination for the boxer. There are mandatory annual exams to pass in obtaining a license and rigorous exams before fights.

“Today, there are complete anti-doping programs, and boxing is no longer in the top ten sports list with the highest mortality. We are at number fourteen, Sulaiman confirmed.” ✕ BOXING DEATHS in 2019 A gut-wrenching three months from July to October in 2019 saw four boxing fatalities rock the sport to its core. We lost talented fighters Maxim Dadashev, Hugo Alfredo “Dinamita” Santillan, Boris Stanchov, and Patrick Day quickly.

Again, questions came to the fore regarding banning boxing altogether. Gladly, this never came to pass, and boxing lives on remembering those fallen warriors.

The longer the current trend continues, the better. There is a firm place in the world for combat in the squared circle— the most glamorous of all and the sport of kings.

World Boxing News

Teofimo Lopez puts the top lightweights on hold while he defends against his IBF mandatory George Kambosos Jr next.

The boxing fans don’t understand that move, as they don’t want to see Teofimo (16-0, 12 KOs) take soft fights against a fighter that they don’t rate.

Fans want to see Teofimo take on Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, or Vasily Lomachenko.

The way that Teofimo’s ego has gotten out of control since beating an injured Vasily Lomachenko last year suggests to some that he’s become a diva and is ducking the best.

People feel that Teofimo uses the IBF mandatory against Kambosos as an excuse to take an easy fight.

While Teofimo insists that the mandatory was due, fans believe he could have steered around it if he wanted.

Teofimo Putting The Top 135-Pounders On Hold

“I’ll get after these guys after my mandatory,” said Teofimo to Fighthype when asked about when is he going to fight Haney, Ryan Garcia, and Tank Davis. “In the meantime, let them fight, let them look good.

 “I want them to be successful. And I don’t want them to lose. And I want to be the person that makes them lose. I want to give them their first loss.

“I don’t think everybody understands, but on February 18th, everyone is going to get woken the f*** up,” said Lopez about his purse bid for his fight against Kambosos. “It’s the takeover time.

 “I took over last year,” said Teofimo, talking about his wins over Richard Commey and an injured Vasily Lomachenko. “This is where we actually have a breakthrough year, and we end up back to back Fighter of the year; that’s my goal.

“It shouldn’t,” said Teofimo when told that his promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank says his fight with Kambosos Jr will go to a purse bid on February 18th.

“Because this is boxing, this is Top Rank, and this is ESPN. So if they’re not living up to the name, what’s the point, you know? Me and my father we’re sitting back and chilling. Why? Because we know what we bring to the table.

“However, should it go that route? I don’t think so, but we’re fine. We’re OK. We’re not stressed, and we’re not worried.

“We’ll find out everything on February 18th,” said Teofimo when told Eddie Hearn said he’ll put in a big,” said Teofimo.

Unlike Teofimo, the top lightweights would be expected to face quality opposition.

Lopez’s Fight Against Kambosos = “Just Business”

“Some things are better just said and not done yet. I’m about seeing the actions,” Teofimo said. “We’ll see. I’m not asking for any of that. You’re giving me my minimum.

 “It ain’t nothing personal; it’s just business. The IBF mandated it [the purse bid] because we didn’t agree to the terms, and it’s already done.

“A lot of people don’t understand. Wait until February 18th. I’ll be water under the bridge, and we’ll continue to do what we got to do.

“We’ll continue the takeover to become a legend. I‘m a legend in the making. I’m 23-years-young. My goal is to become a two-time undisputed champion. I’ve been cutting weight and staying trim. Right now, I’m 148, 149.

“Get the guys that are in the top 10; that’s where the competition is at,” said Teofimo about his advice for Ryan Garcia, Tank, and Haney. “However, they do it, as long as they look good at winning.

“As long as they’re [Haney and Ryan] are fulfilling their mandatory’s and those fights are ordered, those guys [Javier Fortuna and Jorge Linares] are world-class as well.

“They’re not world champions anymore, but they’re world-class top competitors. As I said, I want them all to do good. We ain’t giving handouts,” said Lopez.

With Teofimo weighing close to 150 lbs for his fights at lightweight, you can argue that he’s a ‘weight bully.’ Teofimo should be fighting against guys his own size at 140 rather than melting down to face smaller opposition at 135.

At least Teofimo is honest by saying that his fight with Kambosos Jr is a “business” level fight rather than sporting.

Teofimo Not Letting Go Of His Belts

“I got to focus on my mandatory, George Kambosos, who is 19-0 with 10 knockouts, a tremendous record, never been defeated, from Australia, has a huge fan base, and he’s my mandatory now,” said Teofimo.

“He’s earned his spot. I’m not going to let go of any of my belts. Now it’s all about focusing on him first. I think at this rate; I’ll be at 135 as long as I want to.

“My thing is, I’m staying at 135 just until I see the winner of Ramirez-Taylor, and then I go after those guys at 140.

“I’m thinking about the glory, becoming a two-time undisputed champion. That’s my whole thing.

“Soon, I’ll be at junior welterweight. We’ll have to wait and see; I feel good right now,” Lopez said when asked if he’ll fight once more at 135 after the Kambosos Jr fight. “No, I’m not struggling,” said Teofimo.

Lopez will have to dump his belts anyway when he moves up to 140 after one more fight, so he might as well give up the IBF strap.

That way, Teofimo can focus on fighting the top fighters that bring U.S boxing public knows and cares about. American fans don’t care about Teofimo holding onto his precious IBF strap by facing Kambosos.

The likely reasons why Teofimo is choosing to stick it out with the Kambosos Jr fight is because of this:

It’s an easy fight

He can avoid facing the Four kings

Money is good for it being a low-risk fight

keeping the four belts strengthens Lopez’s hand to insist on being A-side

If Teofimo goes into the contest with WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, or Gervonta Davis as the undisputed champion at 135, he can use that to justify asking to be A-side.

As far as Teofimo’s comments aboutKambosos Jr having a “tremendous record” and having “earned his spot,” these are his best career wins:

Mickey Bey

Lee Selby

Rey Perez

By Sean Jones /BoxingNews24

The Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) has congratulated former IBF Lightweight champion, Richard Commey for his sweet return into the ring with a Round 6 Knock Out over Dominican Republic boxer Jackson Marinez at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Bubble in the USA.

Commey now 30W (27KOs)  - 3L has not fought for 14 months since losing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Lightweight belt to Teofimo Lopez, but came out with a statement in the ring.

The President of the GBA, Peter Zwennes said it is great that Commey is putting the name of Ghana up high again in boxing, and wished him more successes as he prepares to realize his dream of winning two world titles.

Mr. Patrick Johnson, General Secretary of the GBA said the victory by Richard Commey has proved that he deserves to be respected as one of the best lightweight boxers in the world.

“Your performance was striking. You  have yet again demonstrated the unquenchable fire in your heart and the determination to always get the job done in the ring.

The GBA wants  to express its profound gratitude to you and your corner for the yeoman’s job done and to every individual and organisations that played a part in this sweet victory, especially your trainer, Andre Rozier and manager, Mike Amoo Bediako Jnr.

The GBA wants to guarantee you of its constant support that can help shape your chances of becoming a 2 time  world champion by the end of the year” Johnson stated.

He prayed that the James Town native will return to championship ways and go for the second world title he dreams.

Meanwhile, the Boxing Writers Association of Ghana (BWAG) has also sent their congratulatory messages to Commey urging him not to rest or be complacent, but be focused and keep on training and praying for another opportunity to become world champion again.

Mustapha Nettey, an executive member of BWAG said Commey deserves to be encouraged to occupy his right place in world boxing.

Commey is back in fashion to the thick of the hot lightweight division made up of the likes of Lopez, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.

This victory will certainly inspire the Ghanaian and help him get back to another big fight as he makes his way to the top again.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The National Under-20 team, the Black Satellites have arrived in Nouadhibou, Mauritania for the Confederation of Africa (CAF) U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tourney.

The Ghanaian delegation made up of 26 players, nine technical team members, management committee members and other officials left Accra on Saturday on board an Airforce plane and arrived in Nouadhibou later on Saturday.

The Black Satellites would face Tanzania in their first group match on Tuesday, February 16, before squaring off with Morocco and Gambia in subsequent group matches.

Tournament hosts Mauritania are in Group A with Cameroon, Uganda and Mozambique while Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia and Central Africa Republic have been drawn in Group B.

The Black Satellites qualified for the competition after reaching the final of the Wafu Zone B U20 Cup of Nations in Benin and beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to lift the trophy.

The National Under-20 team, the Black Satellites have arrived in Nouadhibou, Mauritania for the Confederation of Africa (CAF) U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tourney.

The Ghanaian delegation made up of 26 players, nine technical team members, management committee members and other officials left Accra on Saturday on board an Airforce plane and arrived in Nouadhibou later on Saturday.

The Black Satellites would face Tanzania in their first group match on Tuesday, February 16, before squaring off with Morocco and Gambia in subsequent group matches.

Tournament hosts Mauritania are in Group A with Cameroon, Uganda and Mozambique while Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Namibia and Central Africa Republic have been drawn in Group B.

The Black Satellites qualified for the competition after reaching the final of the Wafu Zone B U20 Cup of Nations in Benin and beat Burkina Faso 2-1 to lift the trophy.

President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku has urged the Ghana U20 side to make the nation proud at the U20 AFCON starting in Mauritania on Sunday.

The Black Satellites left, Accra, Ghana in the early hours of Saturday for Nouakchott enroute to Nouadhibou where they will be based for the group stages of the tournament.

With a squad strength of 26 players, the Ghana FA boss is optimistic Ghana will come out with flying colours at the tournament.

Kurt urged the team to make Ghanaians proud by lifting the ultimate and assured them they will also be happy in the process.

He added that the quality of the team is good enough to win the tournament, insisting the players should believe in themselves during the tournament.

Ghana will battle Morocco, Gambia and Tanzania in Group C with their first game against Tanzania coming off on Tuesday evening.

He spoke to the team at the Air Force base in Accra on Saturday before their departure to Mauritania.

From Sammy Heywood Okine