Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hero, Samuel 'Ring Warrior' Takyi, and some of the professional boxers fighting on the novelty 'Street 2 Champions' boxing tournament held a public face-off at the Centre Point Mall in Accra last Tuesday to formally launch the programme.

Aimed at taking young people off the streets through boxing empowerment, the November 16 'Street 2 Champions' boxing tournament will see over 100 amateur boxers spread across three events with the competition starting from the round of 16 for each weight division.

Presented by ACE Power Promotions in Accra, the losers will be eliminated while winners advance to the next stage with the ultimate winners getting managerial and or promotional deals with international partners. 

Topping the professional bill is Holy 'Jaw Breaker' Dorgbertor making a first defence of his IBF Continental Africa featherweight title against Aliou Clement Loko of Benin with Olympic bronze medallist, Samuel 'Ring Warrior' Takyi, Accra 2023 gold medallist, Mohammed 'Golden Star' Aryeetey and Ghana super lightweight champ, Samuel 'No Chance' Quaye, among some of the fighters also scheduled to rumble on the show.

At last Tuesday's press conference, Takyi and his upcoming opponent in a lightweight scheduled 8-rounder, Emmanuel Quartey, were first to face-off, followed by Samuel Quaye and the man he defended the national belt against, Michael 'One Bullet' Ansah, amid intense exchange of tough words in the hot sun at the forecourt of the Centre Point Mall.

Dignitaries

Dignitaries present at the media interaction included Bhagwan Asnani, CEO of Centre Point Mall, Madam Theresa Naa Ayorkor Sowah (CEO of Cake City Ghana), Kizito Akudago (Head, Corporate / Legal Affairs of ACE Power Promotions), Derrick Afriyie (Marketing Manager, Central Point Mall) and Kumar Asnani, Head of Operations, Centre Point Mall.

"We are happy to host more fight tournaments but it has to be for a good purpose like this, to bring the youth together, give them some work to do and keep them off the streets. So spread the message all over, everyone is welcome," Asnani said.