Farmers Day Holiday ‘Boxing Revival?’
After a hectic month of November 2023, Farmers Day Friday, December 1, 2023, was a welcome holiday for me.
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Spending the day at home, I had time to indulge in my passion; boxing!
Before I help create the erroneous impression that I went boxing on Farmers Day, I wish to issue a disclaimer to the contrary! I only watched YouTube history of old boxing matches, particularly world title fights involving Mohammad Ali in the 1960s-1970s and Ghana’s Azumah Nelson in the 1980s-1990s.
Before I go to Azumah Nelson and the joy and pride he brought to Ghanaians at a difficult time in our history in the 1980s/1990s when national morale was low from curfews/fear and food shortages/hunger, the last time I boxed competitively was in the Ghana Military Academy in 1972 as a cadet.
‘Novices Boxing’
As junior cadets, one of the early events we were required to undertake was the “Novices Boxing” Competition.
The senior cadets warned/intimidated us that boxing was a test of one’s endurance and could contribute to determining one’s suitability to continue with the training.
We were told anecdotes of how boxing had brilliantly earned cadets’ tickets for further training abroad while others had been sacked for losing miserably.
With these stories, we were all fired with the determination to win.
Simply, boxing in the Academy was a “do-or-die” affair.
My opponent “Kobby” was far older than me.
His hard punches rattled my teenage bones, violently shaking the marrow.
After enduring sound beatings from him in the first round, thanks to the strong admonition/encouragement of the second in my red-corner, a fearsome Warrant Officer, Judo Black-Belt, I went on to win the remaining two rounds for a split points decision.
I must confess though that that victory was as bad as a defeat, the type called a “pyrrhic victory.”
A pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to a defeat.
“Pyrrhic victory” originated from a quote from Greek King Pyrrhus, whose triumph against the Romans in the Battle-of-Asculum in 279 BC destroyed the bulk of his forces.
Indeed, he lost 7,500 of his elite forces called Epirotes, today’s equivalent of Special Forces.
When congratulated after his victory over Rome in 276 BC, all Pyrrhus somberly said was,
“Another such victory and we shall be utterly ruined.”
Such was my 2-1 points victory over “Kobby!” I spent that weekend totally disorientated with pain and wondering which part of the planet Earth I was on.
Azumah Nelson
On December 8, 1984, Azumah Nelson brought joy to Ghanaians when he knocked out defending WBC champion Wilfredo Gomez in the 11th round in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Subsequently, on June 28, 1991, now WBC Super-featherweight champion, Azumah Nelson defended his title against challenger Jeff Fenech of Australia in Las Vegas, USA.
The match which ended in a draw was fiercely contested by the challenger who believed he won.
So angry was Fenech after the fight that when Azumah, in a sportsmanlike manner, went to congratulate him, he rebuffed Azumah rudely.
Unperturbed, Azumah quickly offered Fenech a return match in his native Australia in March 1992.
For many Ghanaians, Azumah’s decision to go to Australia for the title defence amounted to going into the lion’s den to surrender the crown to Fenech.
Fenech was an undefeated national icon.
In the second fight on 1st March 1992, Fenech was stunned in Round One when for only the second time in his life, he was knocked down to the canvas.
Again in Round Two, Fenech went down.
At the end of Round Three, living up to his reputation as a “street-fighter and brawler”, Fenech hit Azumah with his knee after the bell had gone.
Azumah finally brought proceedings to a close when he knocked out Fenech in Round Eight, to the total disbelief of Australians.
Unlike what happened in their first fight when Fenech rebuffed Azumah, this time, he went to salute Azumah, whom he described as “a great champion”.
The post-match interview was interesting.
Azumah made his famous statement that the fight was like one between “father and son”, concluding with, “People don’t call me Professor for nothing!”
Discussion
Fenech’s submission in saluting Azumah proved the age-old saying that respect is earned.
After being comprehensively beaten, Fenech gave his unconditional respect/surrender to Azumah.
This should educate Ghanaians who demand recognition and respect with the question “Do you know who I am?”
As a Ghanaian, Azumah’s victory brought me great national pride in faraway Cambodia.
I arrived in Cambodia in 1992 as part of the United Nations Transitional Authority, Cambodia (UNTAC).
During my in-processing, I went to the UN Vehicle Park to sign for my vehicle.
The NCO checking me in was Australian.
When he asked where I came from and I said Ghana, he immediately continued, “Azuma Nelson’s country?
O My God! He demolished our hero Jeff Fenech! You come from a great country, Sir!”
The respect for Ghana was instant. I have had similar experiences elsewhere in the world.
So, why is it that despite the respect given to us by foreigners, disrespect, corruption, rudeness at all levels, helplessness at “galamsey”, etc. have engulfed us?
Where is leadership?
Unlike some of his opponents who head-butted, knee-butted and fought dirty, Azumah was a clean and decent boxer.
Azumah’s life of humility, respect, selflessness and discipline should be a lesson to Ghanaian rulers.
In her article in GraphicOnline on December 2, 2023, titled If Ghana fails, Africa Fails: Reassuring Words, veteran writer Vicky Wereko quoted a diplomat who told her recently at a function, “If Ghana fails, Africa will fail” and quickly added: “Ghana cannot fail!”
So why are we so busy helping foreigners destroy Ghana? Ghana must not fail!
Leadership, lead by example/action, not talk/words! Fellow Ghanaians, wake up!
The writer is the former CEO of the African Peace Support Trainers Association, Nairobi, Kenya/Council Chair Family Health University College, Accra.
E-mail: [email protected]