Sports
The boxing ring glory: The Ghanaian female boxer’s relentless pursuit
- /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Trudy-Mantaew-in-training-e1754661220800.jpg&description=The boxing ring glory: The Ghanaian female boxer’s relentless pursuit', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
- Share
- Tweet /home/u249204778/domains/spectator.com.gh/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://spectator.com.gh/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Trudy-Mantaew-in-training-e1754661220800.jpg&description=The boxing ring glory: The Ghanaian female boxer’s relentless pursuit', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">
The boxing ring has in the past seen the likes of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Joe Frazier, Azumah Nelson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya captivate boxing fans with thrills and chills.
There have been some iconic bouts like the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ and ‘The Fight of the Century’ which have shaped boxing culture and left an indelible mark in the history of the sport.
Among these great men who have dominated the ring in the past and recent times, the same cannot be said of female boxers who are equally talented and are ready to showcase their boxing prowess.
The marginalisation and low participation of women in boxing has become a major issue around the world, threatening equal participation in sports, which contradicts the objectives of the United Nations International Charter of Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Sport, revised in 2015.
The charter explicitly states that “Everyone has the right to participate and be involved at all levels, including decision-making, and that this right must be actively enforced for women and girls.”
This article unravels the plight and stereotypes faced by a Ghanaian female boxer who has always dreamt of leaving her mark in the boxing ring just like other male boxing legends.
Despite the several obstacles faced by female boxers both in and outside the ring, Trudy Manteaw has remained optimistic about her chances in the sport and wants to use the platform to inspire more young female boxers.
With trailblazer Yarkor Chavez Annan, Ghana’s first female professional boxer, paving the way in the past, Trudy is determined to make her name in the sport and showcase her potential and skills as well as win world titles.
Journey
For many female boxers around the world, taking up a sport which is often dominated by men could be a very difficult decision, and they probably have to defy the odds to become successful.
Trudy says she was a passionate boxing fan, having followed the exploits of legendary Ghanaian boxers Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey, just to mention a few.
She says she picked boxing as a career as she challenged herself both physically and mentally, aspiring to be like the aforementioned boxing legends.
“The journey has been tough, but with every win or setback, I learn something new about myself and the sport and why I should work even harder to attain my dream of becoming a top boxing star,” she said.
According to Trudy Manteaw, who started her journey of becoming a top boxer 10 years ago, aspiring female boxers have found it tough to find a way in the male-dominated industry.
“As female boxers in Ghana, sometimes we face many challenges and sometimes discouragement from people who don’t believe women should be in the ring.
“But I am determined to prove them wrong and pave the way for other women because many young ladies out there can do sports, especially boxing, but the way people talk against us is as if we are not capable of bringing medals as the men do.”
Manteaw, who is undefeated in her professional career, says the few female boxers in the scene make it difficult to get in the ring, and even when they do, they are often used for curtain raisers and exhibitions.
“I feel like a champion anytime I step in the ring, but I just don’t get enough opportunities in the ring to prove my worth because of the limited female boxers we have in the boxing industry,” she disclosed.
Fear factor
One major setback of women’s boxing could be the lack of interest among young prospects who might feel there are not enough opportunities in the sport.
Boxing consultant Yoofi Booham says it is a difficult task to convince some females to get involved in the sport of boxing considering the physical demands.
However, he states that there are numerous opportunities in the sport for females, especially those who want to go professional but most often struggle to get the right trainers.
“I have seen a couple of female boxers who are fearless and anxious to pursue a career in boxing, but I think more has to be done by boxing authorities to support these talented boxers.
“Women’s professional boxing is largely active across the world, with many making millions of dollars, so we have to get more females involved in the sport, and the Ghana Boxing Authority could pursue this course to unearth many boxing talent.” Mr. Booham told the Ghana News Agency.
Way forward
Mr. Roger Barnor, the acting president of the Ghana Boxing Authority, feels a lot has to be done to unearth the massive potential of female boxers in the country.
He says this would take many females off the streets and give them a purpose in life and fight for world titles for the country.
“I have taken it upon myself to create vast opportunities for female boxers because there is massive potential in the country, and we have to nurture their talent,” he said.
“The market is big for female boxers to ply their trade professionally outside the country. Creating these opportunities has the potential of taking many women off the streets and out of disadvantageous places.
“So, we have to adopt the ‘catch them young’ policy for female boxers, and this is something I have already pursued, with 15 girls currently being nurtured,” he told the Ghana News Agency.
Veteran boxer Michael ‘Ayittey Powers’ Okine says one way to promote women’s boxing in the country is to have more promotions so that they can have more fights.
“I have been to some gyms, and you will be amazed with the number of talented female boxers we have, and if we can hold more promotions for them, they can go far.
“I believe women can also bring world titles just like the men. I urge the government to put more efforts in that, and I think it could be a game changer not only for men but also for women,” said Ayittey Powers in an interview.
Trudy Manteaw also called on the government to prioritise female boxers who want to pursue a career professionally or nurture young ones especially for the 2028 Olympic Games.
Ghana, like many other countries around the world, has numerous female boxing prospects who are eager to make their mark on boxing history, and the world must provide them with an equal platform to showcase their abilities as men. –GNA
There couldn’t have been a more challenging moment for Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz than the situation he faced ahead of the commencement of the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group C qualifiers.
Apart from opening the qualifying campaign with two high-profile encounters against The Elephants of La Cote d’Ivoire, and following up with The Gambia, Queiroz has been hit hard by several player withdrawals.
As of press time, seven top players of the team had announced their withdrawals with just about two days to the Bouake ‘clasico’ where the Ivorians engaged Ghana in a tough clash that reminded fans of their historic meeting in the finals of the 1992 edition of the championship that was decided after a marathon penalty shoot-out.
Queiroz was forced to make late changes to his side as Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, Antoine Semenyo, Captain Jordan Ayew, Prince Adu Kwabena, Alidu Seidu indicated their unreadiness to serve.
This group of players can be considered as the spine of the team, and without them, the team is weak, timid, putting their ability to face the Elephants in their own habitat in doubt.
From the players, several excuses –mostly on injuries and fitness, have been given for the decision and they expect Ghanaians to just accept that and move forward.
Before the withdrawals, Atletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams also announced his retirement from international football. Fact is, what he actually wanted to tell Ghanaians is that he would not play for the Black Stars again.
Others like Kevin Prince Boateng have walked on this path with the Black Stars before, turning his back on Ghana after enjoying his World Cup experience.
For the two, there would have been no World Cup experience without the opportunities presented by the Black Stars.
All of these are pointing to a particular trajectory which the Ghana Football Association (GFA) must be seen to be finding solutions to.
Clearly, it is showing a pattern where either players are becoming selective with the games they play or beginning to see the AFCON as an inferior championship.
Maybe what every Black Stars player must be reminded about is the fact that Ghana’s credentials at senior level were achieved through efforts at the AFCONs and not the World Cup which Ghana’s maiden qualification came in 2006.
At the AFCON, Ghana boasts of four trophies and considered heavyweights although recent history shows otherwise. For the World Cup, all the Black Stars have to show for is the quadrennial $100,000 appearance fee bonanza.
And if they don’t know, they must be told that those paydays don’t affect Ghana’s position on the FIFA rankings.
Maybe, the recent withdrawals should spark the conversation to let the Black Stars understand that just as they strive to make a name for themselves at the World Cup, fans back home equally demand same for the AFCON that presents a better chance for silverware than the World.
The FA must not entertain these excuses on the face value. They must verify some of the claims and excuses to ensure future withdrawals can be controlled. What is needed for the team to thrive is commitment and dedication at all platforms. Anything less will spell doom for the Black Stars.
By Andrew Nortey
The driver stopped the vehicle at the gate of the big fenced property along the Nsawam Highway, and Kakraba stepped out to meet the several workers who had gathered to wait for him. He greeted them and went to straight to the point. ‘Gentlemen, I am glad to see that you have almost completed the clearing of the land. I’m happy to report that we have concluded all arrangements with Nana Serebour, and construction of the palace will start in a few days.
I will need you to go and level the ground, and come back to start this project. Some workers from a construction company will come and join us to start the project. My plan is to build twenty houses in four months, then we will do twenty more until we reach two hundred.
I am relying on you to help me deliver good quality work to satisfy our clients, and as I have already indicated to you, I will reward you for your work’. After an hour’s discussion, he closed the meeting and moved to drive away. Wofa Yaw drew closer.
‘Director, can you please spare me five minutes? I would like to discuss a small issue’. ‘Why Wofa Yaw, your wife has threatened to leave you?’ ‘No, Director’. My wife will never leave me. This concerns a young niece of mine’.
‘I hope it’s something I can help with. Please sit in the car and let me hear you’. ‘Boss, my niece Beesiwa is a polytechnic graduate, very beautiful and with very good character.
Unfortunately, her parents virtually forced her into a relationship with an idiot based in the US, which impacted her badly. She has now recovered from that experience, and boss, I am respectfully asking if you would find a job for her.
I promise you that you will never regret it’. ‘Well, Wofa Yaw, let me meet her and speak with her. I may be able to help, maybe not in the way you will expect, but let me meet her. I will not be back here till after a week, but I will be at the office the whole of next week. You can come with her’.
‘On Monday morning, Wofa Yaw and Beesiwa were seated at the office by nine. Three young ladies welcomed them warmly, offered them soft drinks, and assured them that Kakraba would be there shortly, and got seated behind computers with large screens showing various building designs. Kakraba walked in and greeted them warmly, and after chatting with the three ladies, he ushered Wofa Yaw to his office’. ‘Director, this is my niece, Beesiwa. I mentioned her to you when you came to Nsawam’. ‘Yes indeed. Madam Beesiwa, you are very beautiful, as your uncle said. Wofa Yaw is my colleague.
We have just started a building project that will take about three to four years. He mentioned that you have a very small problem, so I said I would like to meet you, and see how I can help. So Beesiwa, please tell me a little about yourself’.
Beesiwa described her childhood, her school experience, her brief work at the bank, and the nasty episode with Sammy Abrokwa which shattered her peaceful life, and how she had been recovering’.
‘I am really sorry to hear this. Now, here is what we are going to do. We are a small but very busy company. The three ladies over there spend most of the day on site, and come back to report on their work in the morning.
I have three main projects. The big one is an estate project in Nsawam, where your uncle is one of my main colleagues. I need a personal assistant who can take care of my activities, especially when I am not in town.
Now, we will have to start with trust. Based on what I know about Wofa Yaw, and based on what you yourself have told me, I think we can start on a sound basis. So, Wofa Yaw will take you to my home. You can move into one of the four guest rooms. I will give you a good phone and a laptop. I will arrange computer lessons for you’. ‘Sir, I have taken some computer lessons, and I have even done graphics and web design’. ‘Fantastic! Now, Wofa Yaw, take her home. My sister Kuukuwa will meet you and show you round, and you can return to Koforidua. When would you like to start work?’ ‘Sir, I would like to start today, but I would need to go and bring my things’. ‘No problem. Take a taxi to my house, meet my sister, and let me know what you decide’.
Kakraba and the three ladies met with some bank officials to conclude on the sale of the three buildings at Adabraka.
They closed at five-thirty, and after rewarding the ladies for their hard work, he got home just after dark. He was surprised to find Kuukuwa and Beesiwa sitting at table enjoying supper. ‘What’s happening here?’ her said. ‘Beesiwa, I thought you would return to Koforidua?’ ‘She changed her mind’, Kuukuwa said. ‘We went to the Mall and bought a few things for her, and we came back to cook. She has made some nice changes to your bedroom. And she cooked a couple of interesting things. Sit down, we will serve you’.
‘Well, I certainly can’t refuse that. It’s been a busy day. So what’s the plan now? Will Beesiwa go to Koforidua tomorrow, gather her stuff together and come down? ‘No, I will stay here for a while. Kuukuwa bought me things that I need, so I may go back next week. I’m ready to start work. What would you like me to start with?’
‘Well, you can come to the office tomorrow morning, meet the three girls and get a feel of what we do. Since you are living here, at least for now, we can discuss the plans for the next few weeks. Sometimes there are gaps when I travel up north. You can take care of things from now. I think the girls would like having someone like you around’.
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
