“The boxing community does not appreciate me, love me” – Joseph Agbeko

Joseph Agbeko, a former Ghanaian boxer, and two-time world champion, is expressing his disappointment at not receiving the level of respect he believes he deserves. Agbeko’s remarkable career includes securing his first bantamweight title in September 2009, defeating Luis Alberto Perez in a dominant performance that led to Perez’s retirement due to a cut beneath his left eye.

Following his initial victory, Agbeko successfully defended his title with a majority decision against William Gonzalez, as well as triumphing over former two-division world champion Vic Darchinyan. However, in October 2009, he faced a setback, losing the IBF Bantamweight title to Colombian fighter Johnny Perez. Agbeko, however, demonstrated his resilience by reclaiming the belt in a rematch against Perez, only to later lose it to Abner Mares.

“The boxing community does not appreciate me, love me, or treat me like how they do to the other boxers. I don’t know if it’s because I am from the Volta region,” Agbeko told JoySports.

Agbeko’s accomplishments extend beyond the IBF’s bantamweight division, as he also held the Commonwealth title from 2004 to 2006 and the IBO title in 2013. Despite these impressive achievements, Agbeko feels that he is not receiving the recognition and respect he rightfully deserves.

“Even with the Bukom Boxing Arena, there’s a place where they have pictures of all of Ghana’s champions – [mine is not there].”

“Joseph Agebko was not a fighter who won only one world title. When you look at Ghana’s champions from DK Poison, Azumah Nelson, and everyone, if you want to mention three or four great champions out of the 10, you will mention my name because I am a two-time world champion. Azumah is a three-time world champion, Nana Konadu also won a world title about twice – I am behind those great fighters,” Agbeko said.

“I have achieved a lot in boxing so there is no way anybody should put up pictures of fighters who have achieved for Ghana, and they wouldn’t think of Joseph Agbeko.”