Rapidly rising boxing star Theophilus Kpakpo “Theo Lopez” Allotey has the opportunity to set up a crack at the world title next when he faces the test of Facundo David Garcia of Argentina in a WBA Super Flyweight final eliminator in Accra next month.
24 year old Allotey’s clash with Garcia headlines the inaugural “Osagyefo Fight Night” presented by new promotions syndicate Obra Sports in honour of Ghana’s founding President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah on September 19, two days before the country’s official holiday honouring the legacy of Dr Nkrumah – a staunch boxing fan who hosted the legendary American heavyweight great Muhammad Ali in Accra in 1964.
For Allotey, victory on home soil could open the door to a world championship opportunity and potentially accelerate his remarkable journey to the sport’s biggest stage – having vowed to end the country’s long wait for a global champion even before taking his first pro fight.
Garcia however presents a significant test for the Ghanaian as he prepares for a second consecutive fight outside Argentina. The Argentine has compiled a record of six wins, two losses and two draws, including three knockouts, since making his professional debut in February 2021.
All nine of Garcia’s previous pro fights were staged on home soil, until last time out at the Santiago de Chile in Chile where he ground out a gritty split decision over home fighter Andres Campos. Now he heads out for the Accra assignment, a totally new experience for the South American.
But young Allotey has already demonstrated that he belongs on the international stage. The former Accra 2023 African Games bronze medallist turned professional in July 2024 and has enjoyed a spectacular rise, capturing five titles in record time. His collection includes national, UBO Africa, WBO Africa, WBO Global and WBA Africa honours.
His rapid progress has also earned recognition from the world’s leading sanctioning bodies, even breaking into the prestigious Ring Magazine Top 10 after stopping stubborn Namibian Jonas Erastus in seven to annex the WBO Global Super Flyweight strap last April.
Having climbed the WBO, WBC and WBA global rankings, the victory over Erastus sealed the fifth title for Allotey in 22 months as pro, and strengthened his credentials as one of Ghana’s brightest emerging world-title prospects.
Now, per the WBA eliminator against Garcia, the Legacy Rise Sports and Wisdom Boxing Gym protege has the chance to turn his remarkable rise into a genuine world championship opportunity — right in front of his home fans in Bukom.
