Ghana’s Black Bombers have shifted their focus to the inaugural IBA President’s Cup in Istanbul, Türkiye, determined to build on the positives of their two-medal campaign at the African Boxing Championships in Kinshasa as preparations intensify towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The national boxing team returned to Accra yesterday with a silver and bronze medal from the 2026 IBA Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in DR Congo, finishing 11th among 28 participating nations.
Although Ghana fell short of gold, the performances of Amadu Mohammed and Joseph “Jaguar” Commey provided encouraging signs, while young Ebenezer Ankrah gained valuable international experience against some of the continent’s emerging talents.
With the inaugural IBA President’s Cup scheduled for November 27 to December 4, the Black Bombers face another opportunity to sharpen their competitive edge, test themselves against elite opposition and build momentum towards their longer-term Olympic ambitions.
Amadu shines
Amadu delivered Ghana’s standout performance in Kinshasa, claiming silver in the men’s 57kg featherweight division after coming agonisingly close to continental glory.
The Ghanaian produced a commanding display in the semi-finals, sweeping aside Namibia’s Elifas Imene with a unanimous 5-0 decision to book his place in the championship bout against Zambia’s Mwengo Mwale.
However, a fiercely contested final ended in disappointment as Amadu suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat following a bout review.
The result carried added significance for Mwale, who avenged his defeat to Amadu in the bantamweight final at the 2023 African Games in Accra, where the Ghanaian had emerged victorious.
Commey, meanwhile, added bronze in the 63.5kg light-welterweight category, although his campaign ended in controversial circumstances.
The 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and 2023 African Games champion was denied a place in the final following a disputed bout-review decision against Cape Verde’s Kevin Admolson in the semi-finals.
Despite the disappointment, Commey's podium finish underlined his continued relevance to Ghana’s international boxing ambitions.
Youngster Ebenezer Ankrah also offered glimpses of promise, opening his campaign with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Eswatini’s Chawe Innocent Gamedze.
His progress was halted in the quarter-finals, however, when Namibia’s Tryagain Morning Ndevelo secured a 4-1 decision to end his medal hopes.
Hosts dominate tourney
While Ghana celebrated its two podium finishes, hosts DR Congo delivered a commanding performance, dominating the championships with a record 17 gold medals, one silver and six bronze.
Cameroun finished second, with Zambia producing one of the tournament’s most impressive performances to claim third place despite entering just five boxers.
The Zambians converted their limited representation into three gold medals and one silver, demonstrating remarkable efficiency in the medal competition.
Uganda also made its presence felt, finishing eighth with one silver and three bronze medals.
However, the championships ended with lingering uncertainty over prize money, with no resolution communicated before the participating boxers returned to their respective countries.
Istanbul offers fresh incentive
Attention now turns to Istanbul, where the inaugural IBA President’s Cup promises not only another demanding international examination but also significant financial rewards.
Under the confirmed prize structure, gold medallists in each weight category will pocket US$80,000, while silver medallists will receive $40,000.
Bronze medallists will earn $22,000, with fifth-place finishers receiving $5,000. Boxers will also collect $500 for each bout won on their way to the quarter-finals.
The substantial financial incentives add another dimension to the competition, offering Ghana’s boxers the prospect of significant earnings alongside valuable exposure against international opposition.
Beyond Istanbul, Ghana is pursuing an ambitious target of qualifying at least four boxers for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
That objective has received a major boost following World Boxing’s decision to award Ghana hosting rights for an Olympic qualifying tournament scheduled for Accra in August 2027.
The opportunity to compete on home soil could prove invaluable, particularly if Ghana can translate its recent continental performances into stronger preparations, greater technical consistency and sustained competitive progress.
