BOXUP, a renowned international sportswear provider and UK-based social youth organisation, has disclosed its ambitious long-term plan for talent development and commercialisation drive to revolutionise boxing in Ghana.
Following its partnership with the Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF) as the official kits and equipment supplier for national boxing teams, BOXUP aims to elevate talent development and get the nation back on track to producing world champions.
Leveraging its 11-year record of accomplishment of successful boxing talent development in the UK through the ‘ Box Up Crime’ initiative, BOXUP Founder Dr. Stephen Addison is confident in replicating this success locally.
He narrated that in the UK, Box Up Crime utilises boxing as a tool for social change, educating and developing young individuals and fostering confidence in youthful populations from the hoods and those demonstrating deviant behaviourrs by channelling their energies positively. The initiative collaborates with schools to improve student behaviour and motivate them, with over 2,000 participants weekly.
With the market size of the global boxing equipment industry alone amounting to over US$1.6billion in 2021 according to Statistica’s report, tthat figure is estimated to be near US$2bn in 2025; and the UK-born Ghanaian national is committed to ensure Ghana is not left.
Challenges to the boxing sector
Having identified the challenges that inhibit boxing talent development locally, including lack of infrastructure, training equipment, pragmatic curriculum and technically skilled personal and professional coaches, BOXUP seeks to bridge the gap by implementing sustainable measures collaboratively with the GBF and other stakeholders.
Dr. Addison, in an exclusive interview with the B&FT, highlighted that to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, BOXUP seeks to strengthen partnering with local stakeholders, develop infrastructure and training facilities across some of the regions of the country, enhance coaching and training capabilities with world-class coaching facilitators by holding coaching masterclasses for interested persons, and implementing a curriculum that provides a proven guideline to professionalism.
“BOXUP is committed to empowering Ghana’s youth through boxing, providing global experiences and opportunities. I am a testament to transformation and Box Up Crime has witnessed first-hand the transformative power of boxing in shaping young lives. Our proven processes will harness Ghana’s raw talent to produce world-class champions,” he said.
With the scientifically proven BOXUP blueprint for boxing development and promotions, Dr. Addison is optimistic the GBF is capable of developing multiple world-class boxing talents for the country in international competitions within a decade.
Furthermore, he mentioned plans to enhance infrastructure and training facilities in most of the 16 regions identified to be talent hotspots, foster partnerships with local stakeholders – especially boxing promotors and commercial brands – to make Ghana a hub for boxing in Sub-Sahara Africa with grand tourist attraction options similar to the Madison Square Garden of USA.
“Box Up Crime works closely with schools, assisting with student behaviour and motivation, getting involved as early as possible in the development of an ‘at risk’ young person to help influence outcomes and improve their life chances.”
From boxing gyms, armature boxing clubs, therapy clinics, personal trainers, curriculum and classes, gloves, men and women’s wear, equipment, among others, BOXUP is prepared to bring its top-quality arsenals to transform the boxing industry in Ghana.
British Empire Medal
The Founder of BOXUP Crime, a UK-born Ghanaian national, Dr. Stephen Addison, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2019 New Year’s Honours list in 2019. This is in recognition of the tremendous transformative role of his initiative in finding alternative livelihoods in sports for the youth.
Defining boxing as a sporting activity that promotes discipline, hard work, determination, mental fortitude, physical wellness and good health, Dr. Addison believes it is a good area to drive interest among the youth for national development.
“In Ghana where there is an abundance of raw talents and interest but lack of infrastructure, training facilities and skilled personnel in terms of coaches and training facilitators, BOXUP is well-positioned to bridge that gap through partnerships and collaborations with local stakeholders to create global experience for the youth,” he said.
