Key points:
- Abigail Quartey becomes Ghana’s first female world champion
- She overcame societal barriers and financial struggles
- Her victory inspires young women to pursue boxing
GHANAIAN boxer Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey has made history by becoming the country’s first female world boxing champion, a milestone that challenges long-held gender norms in the sport.
Her journey to the top was anything but easy. Growing up in Jamestown, a working-class fishing community in Accra known for producing boxing legends, Quartey faced strong opposition from her own family when she decided to pursue boxing as a teenager.
‘My aunts and siblings didn’t like it when I started boxing. They would come here to beg my coach not to let me continue,’ Quartey told The Associated Press (AP) at the Black Panthers Gym, where she has trained for years.
Fighting through challenges
For years, boxing in Ghana was seen as a male-dominated sport, leaving female athletes with little support. Many, including Quartey, struggled to find financial backing and career opportunities.
Despite the obstacles, Quartey persevered. But in 2017, she temporarily quit boxing to sell lottery tickets, struggling to make ends meet. It took persistent encouragement from her coach to bring her back to the ring in 2021.
‘I didn’t have a manager and I was scared I wouldn’t make it without one. In Ghana, female boxers don’t receive much support, and it’s hard to keep training,’ she said.
Her determination paid off in November 2024, when she defeated British boxer Sangeeta Birdi in Jamestown’s main boxing arena, claiming the WIBF World Super Bantamweight title. The victory sparked wild celebrations in her community, overshadowing past prejudice against women in the sport.
A victory for all
Quartey’s historic win has been hailed as a turning point for women’s boxing in Ghana.
Sarah Lotus Asare, a boxing coach and project lead for the Girls Box Tournament, highlighted the significance of her achievement.
‘Even for male boxers, it’s tough to win against non-Africans because they have better facilities and equipment,’ Asare told AP. ‘So for Abigail to win a world title, it’s a big deal for Ghana and Africa.’
Her coach, Ebenezer ‘Coach Killer’ Adjei, also praised her impact. ‘This victory is not just for her, but for the gym, the community, Ghana, Africa, and the world,’ he said.
Inspiring the next generation
For Quartey, her success is not just personal—it’s about paving the way for more women in boxing.
‘I am a world title holder, and that proves that what a man can do, a woman can also do,’ she said.
Her story is already inspiring the next generation of female boxers, including 18-year-old Perpetual Okaijah, who trains at the same gym.
‘My family tried to stop me from coming to the gym because they think boxing is for men,’ Okaijah said. ‘But I look up to Abigail. She inspires me and shows me the right path.’
With Quartey’s historic win, Ghana’s female boxers are finally getting the recognition they deserve, proving that the sport is not just for men but for anyone with the passion and determination to succeed.
