Celebrated boxing referee and judge, Ataa Eddie Pappoe, says Olympic bronze medallist, Samuel Takyi, should quickly shift his focus to professional boxing before age catches up with him.

According to him the 20-year-old boxer, who secured Ghana’s first Olympic medal in 29 years, must be mindful of his age and move away from the amateur level.

“Takyi at 20 can no longer be an amateur; he must become a professional and start eking out a living,” he advised.

In an exclusive interview with Graphic Sports last Thursday, Mr Pappoe said Takyi would be a great boxer at the professional level, and therefore charged him to maintain the same hand speed and aggression he displayed at the amateur level.

“He is an aggressive and fast puncher, if he is able to maintain his balance, get better stamina and have his defence right, we are going to have one of the greatest fighters ever in the country,’ he predicted.

Touching on Takyi’s feat, the veteran boxing official said the Ghanaian performed creditably against a professional boxer such as America’s Duke Ragan in the semi-finals.

“The American is a professional but it is allowed at the Olympics, and there is nothing wrong with that; he was just too much for Takyi on the day,” he noted.

He called on the government to take good care of Takyi and mould him to become one of the best fighters in the country.