A Groundbreaking Moment for Ghanaian Boxing
Boxing has long been a male-dominated sport in Ghana, producing legends like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, and Joshua Clottey. However, for years, women’s boxing struggled to gain recognition. That changed with Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey, who defied the odds to become Ghana’s first female world boxing champion.
To be completely honest, I didn’t know much about her before this fight. I knew she was competing for a world title, but I had to Google who she was and who she was fighting. That’s not a slight on her; it just shows how underreported women’s boxing is, especially outside of the biggest names. But the fact that she has now made history can only be a good thing for the sport.
More countries and more athletes competing at the highest level will only strengthen boxing in the long run, and Abigail Quartey’s success is a huge step forward.
Fighting Against the Odds
Abigail Quartey’s journey to the top wasn’t just about boxing—it was about fighting against societal expectations. In Ghana, like in many parts of the world, boxing has traditionally been seen as a sport for men. Female fighters have often struggled to get the same opportunities, resources, and respect as their male counterparts.
Quartey had to overcome resistance from her own family, particularly her father, who disapproved of her boxing ambitions. He feared she would get hurt or struggle to find a future in a sport where women had little representation.
That didn’t stop her. She trained in secret, working with coaches who saw her potential. Slowly but surely, she earned respect in local boxing circles, proving she had the skill, dedication, and heart to succeed.
Her breakthrough moment came when she won the Ghana National Female Bantamweight Championship, a title that put her on the map and earned her recognition in Ghanaian boxing. That success eventually led to international opportunities, setting the stage for her world title shot.
For context, Ghana has produced several world-class fighters, but women’s boxing has never had the same platform. Many promising female boxers have faded into obscurity due to a lack of support. Abigail Quartey has now changed that, showing that Ghanaian women can compete at the highest level.
For more on Ghana’s rich boxing history, check out BoxRec’s profile on Ghanaian champions.
Winning the WIBF World Super Bantamweight Title
Abigail Quartey’s crowning moment came when she fought for the WIBF World Super Bantamweight Title. This was a massive moment for Ghanaian boxing—winning a legitimate world title is a rare achievement, especially in women’s boxing, where opportunities are harder to come by.
Women’s boxing is growing rapidly, but it’s still nowhere near as well-funded or publicised as men’s boxing. That’s why wins like this matter. It puts the spotlight on female fighters who have been grinding away without the recognition they deserve.
With her win, Quartey joined a growing list of African female boxers making their mark on the global stage. Fighters like South Africa’s Noni Tenge and Nigeria’s Helen Joseph have paved the way, but Ghana now has its own female world champion to celebrate.
To keep up with upcoming women’s boxing fights, check out the World Boxing Council’s official women’s rankings.
What This Means for Women’s Boxing in Ghana
Quartey’s win is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a potential game-changer for women’s boxing in Ghana.
Women’s boxing in Africa has long been overlooked, with few major promoters willing to invest in female fighters. But with Quartey now holding a world title, she has the power to inspire young girls to take up the sport and push for more opportunities.
Historically, Ghana has been a boxing powerhouse, but the focus has always been on male fighters. The rise of a female champion could finally bring the attention women’s boxing deserves.
If you’re interested in learning more about how boxing is developing in Ghana, African Ring has great coverage of African boxing talent.
What’s Next for Abigail Quartey?
Now that she’s a world champion, the big question is: what’s next for Abigail Quartey?
Women’s boxing is getting more competitive, and the next step for Quartey will be title defences and potential unifications. She’ll need to prove she can hold onto her belt and establish herself as one of the top fighters in the super bantamweight division.
Some possible future opponents could include:
- Yamileth Mercado (WBC Champion)
- Mikaela Mayer (Former Super Featherweight Champion, now moving down)
- Ellie Scotney (Highly ranked British contender)
If she can unify the division or take on bigger names, she could become a true global star.
For the latest updates on the super bantamweight division, The Ring Magazine is a great source of boxing news.
Final Thoughts
I’ll be honest—I didn’t know much about Abigail Quartey before this fight. But that just highlights the need for more exposure in women’s boxing. Now that she’s a world champion, hopefully, she gets the recognition she deserves.
Boxing needs more world-class talent from all over the globe. More champions from different countries mean more competitive fights, more opportunities, and ultimately, a better sport.
Quartey’s win is a huge moment for Ghana, for African boxing, and for women’s boxing in general. It proves that talent exists everywhere—it just needs the right platform to shine.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about Abigail Quartey Ghana boxing champion? Do you think she can unify the division? How do you see her career developing from here?
Let’s discuss—drop your thoughts in the comments, share this article, and check out more boxing content over at CMBoxing.co.uk.