The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of promotional syndicate, Cabic Promotions, Ivan Bruce-Cudjoe, has promised to expand the concentration of boxing from Accra to other parts of the regions to unearth talents when voted as the President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA).

The Accra-based businessman's announcement last Friday brings to six the number of persons who have officially declared their bid to become the most powerful man in Ghana boxing after the upcoming elective congress on July 12, which will also elect two vice-presidents, a treasurer and four executive board members.

Incumbent Abraham Kotei Neequaye, top promoter Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, current 1st Vice-President Rabbon Dodoo, his predecessor Henry Manly-Spain and US-based former boxer turned promoter, Emmanuel Adotei Addo, are the others to have also publicly stated their desire to ascend to the big role.

The GBA opened nominations on May 15 for interested members in good standing to contest for various positions, for onward submission by June 2. Vetting is tentatively fixed for June 5-7.

Restoration

Operating under the slogan, "IBC for GBA President," the Cabic Promotions CEO emphasised the need for a reset of the GBA to restore Ghana boxing to its glory days by expanding the sport to all 16 regions, involving former champions as mentees to the current generation and making world champions.

"Ghana’s boxing industry stands at a crossroads, and Ivan Bruce-Cudjoe (IBC) is ready to lead us all into a new era of growth, professionalism, and global excellence," he said at a press conference in Accra last Friday.

"For far too long, boxing has been concentrated in Accra, limiting opportunities for talent development in other regions. My mission is to revitalise and expand Ghanaian boxing, ensuring that every aspiring boxer has the opportunity to excel, regardless of where they come from," he added.

Mr Bruce-Cudjoe's commitment to the sport is vastly demonstrated in his investment in top-class promotions, boxers and state-of-the-art facilities since founding Cabic Promotions in 2018, which culminated in winning the prestigious SWAG Award for Promoter of the Year in 2019.

Patrick Allotey (world title fight in 2019), Richard Harrison Lartey (WBO Africa) and recently, deaf boxer Emmanuel Mankatah Sackey, as well as Kofi Dana (UBO Africa), are among notable boxers to win various regional titles under the management of Cabic, whose other Directors, Ellis Afotey Quaye (2nd Vice-President), Johny Gordon and Gideon Happy Kwamla Oyiadzo, alias Jingles, have also picked forms to contest for Board membership of the GBA.

"My ultimate goal is to help produce a formidable world champion within the first four-year mandate. I appeal to all delegates and stakeholders to change and reset the GBA by voting massively for IBC to take us all to the promised land," Bruce-Cudjoe affirmed.