International ring official, Ataa Eddie Pappoe, and match-maker and coach, Abdul Rasheed Williams, known in boxing circles as Believer, told the Daily Graphic in  separate interviews that professional boxers were bound by a code of conduct to behave well in public else they risked falling foul of the laws and even having their license suspended if they were deemed to have brought the sport into disrepute.

Recent troubles

Their calls come in the wake of recent reports about former WBO Africa super middleweight, Patrick Allotey and dethroned IBF lightweight champion, Richard Commey, being involved in public scuffles.

Allotey is facing police charges for allegedly assaulting a football fan at the Accra Sports Stadium during a league match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko, while Commey was also alleged to have assaulted his cousin after a misunderstanding at their family house.

Ataa Eddie expressed his surprise that the usually composed Commey would lose his cool in that manner, adding that as a role model to the youth such behaviour would affect his public image.

“I have known Richard as a non-violent person and someone who would have to be pushed so hard to resort to retaliation. Only recently Patrick Allotey was also involved in a public confrontation which I condemned.

“These boxers must always conduct themselves as role models as the youth look up to them for inspiration as models of good behaviour because of what they have achieved,” said the international judge.

For his part, Believer said the boxers must endeavour to control themselves in public and never resort to violence even when they were provoked.