Boxing, arguably the most successful sports in Ghana has had topsy-turvy steering leadership for some time now. Even though the leadership has been handled by astute boxing administrators over the years, the sport had not improved largely in any facet of growth and development.

The likes of Moses Foh- Amoaning, Peter Zwennes, Abraham Kotei Neequaye etc had all had opportunities of leading the sport with much enthusiasm and expectations but boxing continues to wallow in stagnation and deprivation.

Boxing, once a glorious exercise that holds the entire nation in a vigil, keeping the nation all night without sleep has become a lesser known sport with time. Boxers, managers, promoters etc no longer care about pride or passion or even the nation; it has become a sport of survival.

That notwithstanding, a new era beckons. Boxing leadership is at the crossroads. Two gentlemen have availed themselves for leadership scrutiny. The veteran Rabbon Dodoo and the enterprising Ivan Bruce-Cudjoe. Both have distinguished themselves in their respective fields and gained enough gravitas in boxing required to lead.

However, time and seasons determine the kind of leadership needed and expected . Rabbon comes in with an undiluted experience of the sport, the knowledge of both an active participant as a former boxer and former executive of the association. Ivan enters the race as an ambitious and dynamic boxing guru ready to move mountains to get things done. Though relatively younger, Ivan has established a niche in boxing promotion and other areas of boxing development. He is also a renowned boxing promoter, having managed former African champion, Richard Harrison, Patrick Allotey and a host of other boxers. He doubles as the CEO of Travel Matters.

But boxing needs more than what the two candidates bring on board. The sport needs a comprehensive and competitive strategy capable of winning medals, world championships, enhancing the health of boxers, attracting corporate sponsorship and partnership, grassroots boxing programs, decentralizing the sport, infusing academics in boxing for boxers and administrators , creating a boxing repository, modern regulations etc.

Meanwhile, according to insights from Future Data Stats, the Boxing Market was valued at USD 7.74 billion in 2025. It is expected to grow from USD 8.29 billion in 2026 to USD 13.82 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period (2026-2033). As giants in African boxing, our unrivaled experience and with our intellectual resources in boxing, it behoves the new leadership to develop a sustainable strategy to tap into this huge global market share.

In this new era of technology and knowledge, boxing cannot continue to be an ordinary sport and business as usual. Boxing is a natural resource like gold, cocoa and other precious minerals. All what is needed is a leadership that thinks beyond bouts and promotions.

As the elections beckons boxing stakeholders must carefully understand and scrutinize the candidates and their policies since the next four year mandate has the tendency of further deteriorating the sport or rehabilitating the battered image and structure of boxing.

It is therefore imperative for delegates to consider the future prospects of the sport and make the right decision.