Former IBF bantamweight world champion, Joseph Agbeko has asked Ghana’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic medalist, Samuel Takyi to turn professional.
According to Agbeko, winning a medal at the Olympics remains the highest point in the career of an amateur boxer and for that matter, there was nothing more to aspire for at that level.
The former champion’s advice has come in the wake of seeming uncertainty over whether to remain an amateur or turn professional after winning bronze and what proved to be Ghana’s only medal from the Games.
There seem to be some confusion over the boxer’s future as an announcement to join the pay-per-punch ranks was overturned with a decision to remain amateur with the impending Ghana 2023 Africa Games and the France 2024 Olympic Games in sight.
But according to Agbeko, “my best advice for him is to turn professional because he has already tasted victory at the top. That is the height.
“He has won a medal at the Olympic Games and that is enough at the amateur stage. Floyd Mayweather won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games and called it quit.
“He turned professional afterwards and reached the top of the sport. Even in retirement he is considered one of the greatest,” he advised.
He also advised Takyito relocate to the USA and build his career as a professional boxer because he will be exposed to all the best facilities.
Agbeko also cautioned Takyi against arrogance and indiscipline in his quest to become boxing’s latest kid on the block.
According to the former world champion known as ‘King Kong’, it was important for Takyi to remain disciplined and not be consumed by the fame over his bronze winning feat.
Agbeko said winning bronze at the 2020 Olympic Games and making history for Ghana in the process could be too much to handle by the 20-year-old but he must remain disciplined in order to excel.
The boxer-turned-promoter urgedTakyi and his team toeschew complacency and associate himself with the right people to guide and support him to improve.
BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE
