Advertisement

Boxing trainer Abdul Rasheed Williams, popularly referred to as Coach Believer
Boxing trainer Abdul Rasheed Williams, popularly referred to as Coach Believer

‘Our current boxers are cowards’ - Believer

Boxing trainer Abdul Rasheed Williams, popularly referred to as Coach Believer, has described the current crop of boxers in the country as cowards who fear to fight each other in the ring but make noise outside of it.

Consequently, he has challenged the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) to assert its authority and ensure that bouts such as the Rafael Mensah versus Emmanuel Tagoe and Richard Commey versus Emmanuel Tagoe happen.

He bemoaned the myriad of boxers in the same weight division, who are aiming at world title shots but dread to brawl among themselves to discover their weaknesses, strengths and determine the best among them.

According to him the country currently lacked a good number of quality boxers and thereby non-competitive opponents are arranged for the good ones to brawl against.

In an exclusive interview with the Graphic Sports in Accra last Thursday, Believer expressed fears the country might never get a world title from these ‘cowards’ of fighters.

 “ If you don’t fight the best, you will never be the best”, he told this paper, adding that the former world champions the country had produced fought their peers and were the best in the country.

 “During the days of the Ike Quarteys, Annoh Amissahs, Raymond Narhs and Smith Odooms, the competition was intense and boxers brought the best out of themselves”, he noted.

The 52-year-old veteran who helped cut the teeth of welterweights James Toney, Joshua Okine, Michael Gbenga and Scorpion Bawa is, however, optimistic about the prospects of the sport going forward.

He believed the involvement of former world champion, Azumah Nelson, in promoting and organising boxing matches, was a game-changer for the sport.

He opined that lightweight boxer Emmanuel Tagoe was a great world title prospect at the moment and Duke Micah was also a world title hopeful in three years time.

Coach Believer, therefore, charged the GBA to prefer and honour a national champion to other boxers to attract talents to fight for national titles.

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |