Ghana’s sole medalist at the just-ended Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Samuel Akwasi Takyi, says he is turning professional after grabbing a bronze in the featherweight division.
The 20-year-old who ended Ghana’s wait for a medal at the quadrennial global sporting showpiece event, believes he has paid his dues at the amateur ranks and is ready to replicate the Olympic feat at the professionals ranks where he hopes to follow the likes of Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Joshusa Clottey among others to win a world title for the country.
Speaking on TV3’s Warm-Up Plus show at the weekend, the pride of Atukpai revealed his future ambitions in the sport, stating that a world title would mean the same to Ghanaians just like his Olympic bronze medal.
“I’m not going to fight at the amateur ranks again. Olympic Games is the highest point in amateur boxing. I have bronze medal now and am determined to turn professional and bring a world title.”
According to him, he believes in God and himself that he can do it at the professional level and raise high the flag of Ghana once again.
“Yes, am very prepared now for the challenge at the professional level, my coach Lawrence Ampofo Quaye and I are ready.”
The Discipline Boxing Academy protégé noted that he has a dream in boxing and the plan to realise that dream is a well thought-out plan by him and his management.
On whether he would be participating in any of the impending amateur boxing championships as well as the Commonwealth Games before turning professional, the bronze medalist replied, “no, I am determined to carry out my dream.”
“I have a dream and I have to work on that dream. The plan to execute that dream is on, I have records to break at the professional level so we must do things early,” he added.
On the Olympics, he disclosed that it was a tough experience, but his self motivation was what took him through to the medal zone.
“The Olympics Games was very tough. Even before I enter into the ring, I believe I am a winner and that worked for me.”
He described his quarter-final bout against his 32-year-old Colombian challenger David Avila Ceiber as his toughest fight of the Games.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
