Former President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to rekindle the original vision behind the Bukom Boxing Academy, a project that was conceived during his administration to scout and nurture boxing talents from across Ghana.
Speaking at the Jubilee House during a courtesy visit by two-time World Heavyweight Champion Anthony Joshua and members of Legacy Rise Sports, President Mahama recalled that the Academy was meant to be a residential centre where young boxers could live, train, and receive formal education. Unfortunately, the initiative was put on hold after his presidency ended.
“There’s now a fresh opportunity to bring that vision to life,” Mahama declared, adding that Ghana urgently needs a much larger boxing venue to match its potential in the sport. He also expressed regret that the Bukom Boxing Arena, built under his leadership, was not developed as a more expansive facility.
Over the weekend, his son Sharaf Mahama, CEO of Legacy Rise Sports, hosted the high-profile “Battle of the Beast” boxing event at the Bukom Boxing Arena. The event attracted global boxing icons including Anthony Joshua and Amir Khan, along with other major figures in the sport.
President Mahama praised Sharaf’s commitment to sports development, highlighting how he started in football but is now actively investing in boxing to uplift the sport in Ghana.
Anthony Joshua, who received a rousing welcome in Ghana, said he was inspired by the warm hospitality and shared his goal of using his next career phase to build stronger sporting links between Africa and the global arena. He lauded Sharaf Mahama’s efforts to rejuvenate boxing in Ghana through Legacy Rise Sports.
The visit and the boxing event have re-energized discussions around Ghana’s sporting future, with growing calls to invest in infrastructure and youth development to sustain the country’s proud boxing heritage.
