Joseph KingKong Agbeko ready to hang up gloves
GHANA’s two-time Bantamweight Champion, Joseph KingKong Agbeko, has revealed that he is in the process of hanging up his gloves and focusing on unearthing and nurturing young talents to become the next big stars of boxing.
The former International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion dropped the hint on the sidelines of a gala event last Saturday night at the Accra International Conference Centre to celebrate his greatness as a boxing legend.
Advertisement
The event brought together Africa's finest boxer and a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Azumah Nelson, among other influential members of the boxing fraternity, corporate executives, members of the executive and legislative arms of government and a touch of royalty with traditional leaders from the Greater Accra and Volta regions in attendance.
It was dubbed ‘Celebrating a Legend’ and was organised by the real estates firm, Lakesisde Village, who have the boxing legend as a brand ambassador.
“As I am being celebrated today I have been pushed to the position of hanging up my gloves. I feel I am at a time where my passion in the ring has diminished and the passion to identify and groom more talent is high.
"It is my desire to produce world champions and that is where my focus is now,” Agbeko told the Graphic Sports on the sidelines of the programme.
He introduced on the stage some young boxers whom he was grooming and mentoring to reach their full potential as one of the key projects by the Joseph Agbeko Foundation.
The celebrated boxer advised upcoming boxers to stay focused and disciplined in order to reach greater heights in the sport.
“To the young fighters, I did not achieve these successes by chance but rather through determination, hard work and God’s blessings.
"I started with more talented boxers than myself right from the amateur stage through to the professional level, but most of them were not able to make it where I got to.
“I will use this opportunity to urge you to stay hungry for success at every stage in the sports,” he said.
According to the Business Development Manager of Lakeside Village, a subsidiary of Net 36 Vista Property Investment and Management, Mr Issac Tei, his outfit was excited to be associated with Agbeko as their brand’s ambassador because of the sterling qualities he brought to the table; hence, the need to celebrate him while he was alive.