By Von Cofie
Michael Nii Ayitey Okine affectionately called ‘Ayitey Powers’ has disclosed that boxing made him who he is now and never regrets becoming a boxer, because the sport has taken him to places and even the Ghana National Anthem has been played before his fights.
“Through boxing I can go to high places and people respect me a lot” he said during an exclusive interview with Yours Truly on The Big Fight Night on Omashi TV.
According to Powers, who is President of the Voice of Ghana Professional Boxers Association, he started as an amateur and moved from national to international.
“I want to give back to society and the sport that made me great, that’s why I am into promotion, but it’s not easy. so I appeal to companies to sponsor and support because boxing is big entertainment and business. I lost big in my first two promotions but I am not deterred” he expressed.
According to him, he was beaten mercilessly on his first day at the Wisdom Boxing Gym under Coach Dr. Asare, but he decided not to retreat but stay on with the inspiration of Stoner Jones and Ablor Sowah and qualified to join the Black Bombers team before turning professional.
He won his first bout against Joshua Okine and that motivated him to do 48 fights, winning 22 before retiring.
He named Australia as the best place he fought and hinted that fufu is his best dish.
Ayitey Powers advised boxers who see themselves as good to fight the best on the local scene before aiming to travel outside because boxing in UK, USA, Asia and Australia is very serious business and the remuneration is good.
He commended Sharaf Mahama and Legacy Rise Sports for staging the much talked about bill and hoped to also organise good shows for Ghanaian boxing fans.
On the resignation of the Ghana Boxing Authority President, he did not have much to say as it was his personal decision as he knows how the office is.
He prayed for a better boxing leader who will listen to the stakeholders for the sport to move on because it is serious business.
By Sammy Heywood Okine
