Former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey, has issued a cautionary message to Samuel Takyi, emphasising the importance of self-discipline if he aspires to become a future world champion.
He lamented that Takyi’s career had hit a roadblock since winning the bronze medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, primarily because the youngster had started believing in his own hype and disregarded instructions from his team.
Now retired, Clottey told the Daily Graphic that Takyi had an excellent opportunity to fulfil his dreams under the guidance of boxing legend, Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey, but the young boxer squandered this chance due to his lack of self-discipline.
Clottey won the IBF welterweight world title in 2008
“He must learn to respect those in authority if he wants to go far because, as a professional, he has achieved nothing,” Clottey said, emphasising that winning a bronze medal at the Olympics did not automatically make someone a world champion, and that it was very important for Takyi to recognise this fact sooner rather than later in order to salvage his career.
Takyi, known by the nickname ‘Ring Warrior,’ ended Ghana’s 29-year Olympic medal drought when he won a bronze medal in boxing at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Upon his return, he transitioned to the professional ranks and signed with Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate, owned and run by Clement Quartey, son of former world champion, Ike Quartey of course.
The 22-year-old made his professional debut in April 2022 against Kamalrudeen Boyefio and followed it up with victories over Mandlenkosi Sibuso in South Africa and Samuel Moses in Lagos later that year.
Takyi made his 2023 debut with victory over Anama Dotse last Saturday at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra
However, a recent disagreement between Takyi and his management has led the young boxer to consider severing ties with Quartey’s Bazooka Promotions and Management Syndicate, a decision that has resulted in the stagnation of his career progression.
When asked about Takyi’s current situation, Clottey expressed his concern over the declining trajectory of the young boxer’s career, attributing this decline to Takyi’s inflated ego and a lifestyle that mirrors that of a successful fighter.
“The problem lies in his perception of himself as a successful boxer solely because he won an Olympic medal but that shouldn’t be the case,” Clottey lamented.
He emphasised that Takyi should continue learning from renowned figures such as Bazooka, as the youngster’s reluctance to subject himself to instructions within a career development plan had largely hindered his progress and would likely result in ongoing struggles.
Credit: Graphic Sports
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