Bukom, in Ghana, is a hotbed of boxing talent. Part of a coastal area in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, for decades Bukom has been a place where champions are made.
Bukom, in Ghana, is a hotbed of boxing talent. Part of a coastal area in the Ghanaian capital of Accra, for decades Bukom has been a place where champions are made.
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An aerial view of Bukom. This working-class neighborhood located in Accra's Jamestown district has produced eight world-champion boxers.
An aerial view of Bukom. This working-class neighborhood located in Accra's Jamestown district has produced eight world-champion boxers.
CNN
Abdul Wahid Omar is a six-time national champion who represented Ghana at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and is captain of the national team. "When you are in Jamestown, you know you have to be a hard guy," he told CNN.
Abdul Wahid Omar is a six-time national champion who represented Ghana at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and is captain of the national team. "When you are in Jamestown, you know you have to be a hard guy," he told CNN.
CNN
Jamestown residents have long depended on the sea for their livelihoods. But for a talented, determined few, boxing offers a path to success and celebrity.
Jamestown residents have long depended on the sea for their livelihoods. But for a talented, determined few, boxing offers a path to success and celebrity.
CNN
Born and raised in Bukom, Samuel Takyi started boxing as a nine-year-old and won a Bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. Takyi recently took Gold at the Africa Games, held in Ghana. "This is the home of champions," he says of Bukom. "The boxing grows itself here."
Born and raised in Bukom, Samuel Takyi started boxing as a nine-year-old and won a Bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics. Takyi recently took Gold at the Africa Games, held in Ghana. "This is the home of champions," he says of Bukom. "The boxing grows itself here."
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"I see it like a university for boxing. If you are a good boxer and you're from some other region (of Ghana), you need to come to Jamestown," says Ofori Asare, (pictured, right) coach of Ghana's national boxing team, dubbed "The Black Bombers." They are responsible for four of the country's five Olympic medals since it began competing in 1952.
"I see it like a university for boxing. If you are a good boxer and you're from some other region (of Ghana), you need to come to Jamestown," says Ofori Asare, (pictured, right) coach of Ghana's national boxing team, dubbed "The Black Bombers." They are responsible for four of the country's five Olympic medals since it began competing in 1952.
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Charles Quartey, left, is a former amateur fighter who now runs a prominent gym, which helps gets children off the streets. "We take care of them," he says. "We clothe them, we feed them, we send them to school. We're trying to do our best so that these boys will not grow up wasted in the community."
Charles Quartey, left, is a former amateur fighter who now runs a prominent gym, which helps gets children off the streets. "We take care of them," he says. "We clothe them, we feed them, we send them to school. We're trying to do our best so that these boys will not grow up wasted in the community."
CNN
A boxer training at Quartey's Gym.
A boxer training at Quartey's Gym.
CNN
Joseph Commey won gold at the Africa Games in March and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He shares his moniker "The Jaguar" with his grandfather, a champion in the 1960s. "I want to go to the Olympic Games ... then I take a medal, before I (turn) professional," he said. "I think this year, I'll be the greatest boxer in the world."
Joseph Commey won gold at the Africa Games in March and a silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He shares his moniker "The Jaguar" with his grandfather, a champion in the 1960s. "I want to go to the Olympic Games ... then I take a medal, before I (turn) professional," he said. "I think this year, I'll be the greatest boxer in the world."
CNN
Commey is just one of the Bukom boxers with sights set on the Olympics. Pictured, the Black Bombers training for the 2024 Paris Games.
Commey is just one of the Bukom boxers with sights set on the Olympics. Pictured, the Black Bombers training for the 2024 Paris Games.
CNN
But whether the fighters are aiming for the Olympics, or just honing their skills, Bukom is a neighborhood where squares become makeshift rings, a tribute to the local passion for boxing.
But whether the fighters are aiming for the Olympics, or just honing their skills, Bukom is a neighborhood where squares become makeshift rings, a tribute to the local passion for boxing.
CNN