In the Ghanaian capital, Jamestown, a popular and historic district, welcomes dozens of apprentice boxers who dream of becoming champions. A tradition that has evolved into true know-how.
4 mins
The dusty concrete floor, worn gloves and damaged punching bags of the Attoh Quarshie boxing club, in a small district of Accra, the Ghanaian capital, do not look much. However, dozens of boxers meet there every day, as in the neighboring boxing clubs to train for several hours, making Jamestown, a popular and historic district, the “Mecca” of boxing in Ghana.
Just a few meters from the room founded by Attoh Quarshie, a prominent figure in Ghanaian political life, a boxing enthusiast who died in 2019, the Will Power Boxing boxing club encourages its members to surpass themselves by displaying on its door: “ Go Hard or Go Home.
In total, around ten clubs dedicated to the noble art rub shoulders in the winding streets of Jamestown and its neighboring Bukom district, near a fishing port which faces the Atlantic Ocean.
Several Ghanaian boxing champions have frequented Jamestown clubs and their photos adorn the walls. Like Azumah Nelson nicknamed “The Professor” whom many consider to be the greatest African boxer, but also John Laryea nicknamed “The Expensive Boxer”, former Ghanaian boxing champion.
Jamestown: a new generation emerges
Today, in Jamestown, a new generation of champions is emerging. “ Ghanaian boxing is what Jamestown is all about »explains John Zile, 24, a professional who has won several fights and who trains at the Bronx Boxing Gym.
“ If you want to be great, you have to come here »he adds, he who left the north of Ghana to settle in the heart of the stronghold of Ghanaian boxers.
For boxing coaches, the practice of this sport emerged in Jamestown and Bukom due to the economic difficulties experienced by the fishing districts and villages of Ghana, the main populations of these districts, but also due to a local tradition consisting of settle disputes by a show of force.
“ It became clear that boxing belongs in this part of the country » says Lawrence Carl Lokko, trainer and owner of Bronx Boxing.
Sport also allows you to lead a disciplined life, far from the streets of Jamestown where opportunities are rare, he added.
Not far from there, a gymnasium regularly organizes tournaments between the clubs of the popular district, and photos of these events are proudly displayed, as in the Attoh Quarshie room.
Facing the posters hanging on the peeling red and yellow walls, Attoh Quarshie coaches subject the sweat-soaked boxers to routines on the punching bags, before a whistle marks a break between rounds.
Inside the ring, two boxers move and punch their sparring partner’s bear paws.
“ They train you well »explains between two rounds Akimos Ampiah, a well-known professional boxer in Ghana. “ Boxing. It’s a tradition here” he concludes.
Near the entrance, a wooden sign humorously reminds us of the two rules of the gymnasium: “ Rule number 1. The coach is never wrong. Rule number 2. If you think the coach is wrong, refer to rule number 1. »