Boxing fraternity pay last respects to Napoleon Tagoe

The boxing fraternity last Saturday joined hundreds of other mourners to pay their final respects to former boxer and trainer, Napoleon Nii Ayaa Tagoe, whose mortal remains were laid to rest at the Osu Cemetery.

A delegation comprising boxing legend Azumah Nelson, Mr Peter Zwennes, President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), the manager and promoter Michael Tetteh of Golden Mike Promotions, retired and current boxers, match-makers, trainers, boxing fans, among others, made their presence felt at the funeral grounds at Korle Gonno.

The deceased, 50, who died in October last year after a brief illness, was survived by six children.

Napo, as he was popularly called, was a former boxer and one-time WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight champion, a title he won against Napoleon Pitt at the World Congress Centre in Atlanta, Georgia, two decades ago.

A consummate boxing fanatic, Tagoe was also famed for constructing the sole constructing boxing rings across the country.

He established a gym at City Engineers offices at James Town in Accra where he trained both professional and amateur boxers. He subsequently set up the Will Power Gym at James Town in Accra where he once trained IBO Lightweight champion, Emmanuel ‘Gameboy’ Tagoe and other top boxers.

His boxing record stood at 21-14-4-3 (4KO).

Reading a tribute on behalf of the GBA, Mr Zwennes noted that Napo was a good trainer who deserved a place alongside great names such as Roy Ankrah, Attuquaye Clottey, Floyd Klutei Robertson, Eddie Blay, Godwin Kotey Djanie and Emmanuel Teiko Tagoe.

He extolled the late boxer’s discipline and hard work, and principles which he urged other boxers and trainers to emulate.