The UK-based sensation lost on points to Senegal’s Seydina Konate in a heavyweight (80kg) bout as his ambition to represent Ghana at the 2024 Olympics in Paris hit a snag.

Despite the setback, MacBones said he had not given up on his ambition and remained hopeful that his journey to Paris might take different routes to materialise. He is looking to take advantage of two qualifying pathways available to other members of the national amateur boxing team, Black Bombers, in Italy next February and in Bangkok three months later. 

The 33-year-old boxer told Graphic Sports in a telephone interview from the team’s camp in Dakar that even though he could not fulfil his aspirations at the first attempt, he remained undaunted in his Olympic quest and would have discussions with the team’s head trainer, Kwesi Ofori Asare, on the options available to him.

However, he was certain he would return to the gym and prepare well before taking advantage of the two qualifying events next year.

“I couldn’t get what I wanted here but we move on. There are two opportunities in Italy and Thailand and we want to take advantage of them. However, let’s finish our assignment in Senegal and then we can discuss the way forward,” said the boxer, famous for his punching power in the ring, as well as his fascinating life journey as a labourer at a construction site in Ghana to discovering his passion for boxing when he emigrated to England.

The boxer said he had put the loss behind him and was looking forward to learning useful lessons from the setback to progress in his career.

“In boxing, you either win or lose. I take it as a man and go back to the drawing board. It was a tough tournament and every country came well prepared, even though Ghana has a great team with great boxers,” he said.

For now, MacBones said he wanted to direct his energies to supporting his teammates who were still in contention for Olympic slots at the September 9 – 15 qualifiers in the Senegalese capital.

“Let’s support our teammates here so that we can get some of our boxers to qualify for Paris. I love Ghana and want to do the best for my country.

“We stay positive, motivate each other and support each other,” he said about his mood in camp.

Meanwhile, six Ghanaian boxers are still in contention for an Olympic slot at the ongoing tournament.

Boxers still in contention include US-based Ornella Sathoud (middleweight, 75 kg) who has reached the quarterfinal and is set to fight today.

The male boxers who have gone through include Theophilus Kpakpo Allotey (flyweight, 51Kg), Abdul Wahib Omar (featherweight, 57Kg), Joseph Commey (light welterweight, 63.5kg) and Jonathan Tetteh (heavyweight, 92Kg) who won their respective preliminary round fights and will be in action today for a place in the quarterfinals.

Others who failed to go past the preliminary stage include Alfred Kotey (light middleweight, 71Kg), David Bawa-Akankolin (super heavyweight, 92+Kg), Sarah Apew (lightweight, 60Kg), Ramatu Quaye (bantamweight, 54kg) and Janet Acquah (flyweight, 50Kg).