Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) President Dauda Fuseni says the Black Bombers will face a series of international tests as the national team intensifies preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers, beginning with Saturday’s 10-fight friendly against Metro Detroit Golden Gloves at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
Fuseni will miss the Accra contest because of working engagements in the United States, where he has over the past week been studying American excellence in combat sports and exploring opportunities to strengthen Ghana’s amateur boxing structures.
He held discussions with USA Boxing Executive Director and CEO Mike McAtee on a potential strategic partnership covering athlete development, coaching education, training exchanges, high-performance systems and international opportunities for Ghanaian boxers.
He also met USA Boxing Elite National Team head coach Billy Walsh and toured the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre.
“My visit to the United States is about learning the American excellence in combat that cuts across all combat sports, including boxing, judo, MMA, Muay Thai and wrestling,” Fuseni told the Graphic Sports.
The GBF chief said his study visit also covered regulatory systems, safety standards, anti-doping measures and the business of sport, including its impact on youth development and opportunities.
On the Detroit encounter, Fuseni described it as the first in a series of competitive tests designed to expose Ghana’s boxers to different opposition, with the tough Olympic qualifiers in mind.
“We all know the strength of America when it comes to boxing, and engaging the Detroit Golden Gloves is a step in that direction,” he said.
The GBF president disclosed that the Black Bombers would also participate in the debut IBA President’s Cup in Instabul, Turkey, and face a French boxing side, both in December, as well as an English team in March 2027, keeping the squad active ahead of Olympic qualification events expected in the summer of 2027.
Ghana is also hoping to secure hosting rights for the continental Olympic qualification tournament, he disclosed.
The federation’s programme includes participation by Ghanaian teams – concurrently – at both the 2026 (International Boxing Association) IBA African Elite Men and Women’s Championships in Kinshasa, DR Congo from October 19-November 1, and the inaugural World Boxing (WB) African Championships scheduled for October 15–28, 2026, at Nairobi’s Kasarani Indoor Arena, Kenya.
Fuseni’s strategy is to build a battle-tested team through sustained international competition, technical development and partnerships as Ghana pursues a stronger presence on the road to LA 2028.
