Clement Quartey, manager of Olympic Games hero, Samuel ‘Ring Warrior’ Takyi has leapt to the defence of the boxer following apparent accusation of indiscipline by former world champion, Joshua Clottey.
The former IBF welterweight title holder was quoted by state-owned Daily Graphic last week lamenting what he perceived to be a stagnation of Takyi’s barely one year old pro career due to what he said was the young boxer’s mindset of already being a superstar because of the historic bronze he won at Tokyo 2020 which ended Ghana’s 29-year Olympic medal drought.
Takyi was mentored by the great Ike Quartey at the beginning of his pro career
But in a sharp rebuttal, Quartey, son of the legendary Ike ‘Bazooka’ Quartey – who mentored Takyi at the beginning of his pro career last year – has debunked the assertion, insisting on Takyi’s commitment to his pro career amid hailing the 22 year old’s huge sense of professionalism, responsibility and discipline.
“When I’m asked what I say about people saying Takyi is indisciplined, I say I’m the one who is close to him, and I believe that everybody have their own personal lifestyle. I am focusing on his boxing,” Quartey Jr told Sportsinghana.com.
Isaac Dogboe and Takyi flank Black Bombers head trainer, Ofori Asare
“I think everybody have their opinion on how people should live their lives. Takyi knows what he wants so he demands for what he wants. But in Africa and Ghana for that matter, when a child is working with elderly people and he is telling them what he wants, he is often classified as indisciplined,” the Bazooka Promotions CEO continued.
“But it is his career. He should tell his management what he wants, and the management have to ensure they do what they have to do for him to get to where he has to get to,” he added.
Quartey who founded and runs Bazooka Promotions and Management also rubbished reports that Takyi had fallen out with his management for which’s consequence he had failed to fight since August last year before his win over Anama Dotse on fight night 6 of the 2023 Ghana Professional Boxing League on June 17.
Takyi (middle) with the Quarteys, Clement (left) and Ike (right)
Stepping into the ring for the first time since a round one stoppage victory over Nigeria’s Samuel Moses in Lagos nearly a year ago, Takyi dominated relatively experienced Dotse, dropping him severally in three rounds before the latter failed to rise for the 4th stanza for a first victory under new trainer, Ofori Asare who also led him to the Olympic Games triumph two years ago.
“The only thing Takyi changed is his trainer, from Coach Djibril to Coach Asare but we are still working together. He also was privileged to have had my dad, the great Ike Bazooka Quartey as his mentor earlier on so all is well,” Clement Quartey said.
“We are not going to wait for him to stay 10 months before fighting again. We want to fight next month, July amd keep fighting. We want him to get his records up so that he can fight for the world title because he is ready and hungry for all those big names in the lightweight division, Gervonta (Davis) and Ryan (Garcia),” a highly ambitious Quartey revealed.
Takyi’s hand raised in victory by referee Erasmus Owoo after stopping Kamarudeen Boyefio in his debut pro fight in April 2022
“But I want him to watch Emiliano Vargas, son of Fernando Vargas, those are the guys he will battling against for titles because I think Gervonta and Co will move up in weight,” he stated.
“So it’s Vargas and Takyi’s former Olympic Games opponent, Duke Ragan for us, we will focus on that side and more international fights. We are ready to move towards that direction,” he concluded.
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