Former Ghanaian boxer Joseph Agbeko has highlighted a significant issue in the development of boxing talent in Ghana.

Agbeko pointed out that the practice of staging 'fake bouts,' where boxers participate in prearranged matches to inflate their records, is hindering the sport's progress in the country.

In an interview with Game TV, the former world champion explained that these fixed matches are often arranged to make boxers' statistics more appealing to promoters.

However, Agbeko expressed concern that this approach backfires when boxers, lulled into complacency by their padded records, struggle to perform against genuine, skilled opponents.

He also shared a personal experience, recalling a moment of embarrassment when he and a friend from the United States witnessed three such fixed bouts.

“We have been building boxers the wrong way. We love giving boxers easy opponents so that they will be able to win fights, but that will not take them anywhere.

Give boxers good competition that prepares them for the future.

“That has been the biggest issue. There are a lot of fake fights in the system. I once took a friend from the US to Kwahu to watch a boxing bout.

The first two fights on the night were fake fights. It was very obvious, so I became embarrassed,” he stated.

Joseph Agbeko urged boxing administrators in Ghana to step up and boldly address the challenges facing the sport with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Agbeko pointed out that the lack of courage among boxing officials to voice their concerns to the ministry is having a negative impact on the sport's development.