Kofi Owusu Aduonum
15 September 2008
Current International Boxing Federation (IBF) Welterweight champion, Joshua Clottey, has rendered a copious apology to Mr. Ray Quarcoo for 'neglecting' him on his arrival from the United States, where he defeated Zab Judah in their crunch vacant title fight.
The Welterweight champ zoomed in at Mr. Quarcoo's Roman Ridge residence in Accra, last Friday, in the company of his trainer Kwame Asante and his brother, Emmanuel Clottey, to say thank you to Mr. Quarcoo, for his immense help for the trio's success in boxing.
"Sir I'm really sorry for not acknowledging you at the Kotoka International Airport on my arrival, I was overwhelmed by the crowd and had so much on my mind, forgive me," the champion said in plain words.
His sibling, Emmanuel Clottey jumped to his defense by saying, "We are sorry sir, you have done so much for us that we cannot forget about you, and our mother even mentions you all the time."
In a solemn mood, Mr. Quarcoo noted "That's alright, I'm not bitter, this great achievement gives me great joy that my toil has been rewarded, just be disciplined as you advance."
Mr. Quarcoo, who identified the potential in the Clottey brothers at their tender ages, was the one who sponsored, accommodated and clothed them to ensure that they had the best of trainings in both Ghana and abroad. He advised Clottey to shelve the idea of unifying the title for now, and make some more money before he moves on. "You have to make some more money for yourself and your family by engaging in some two or more easy fights before you advance," Mr. Quarcoo advised.
Mr. Quarcoo, the former first chairman of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) prayed for God's blessings for Clottey in his endeavours and admonished him to ensure the regular upkeep of his parents.
Mr. Quarcoo then invited his visitors to the Bridge Foundation, an NGO facility, a few metres away from his residence which houses a big boxing gym and a library, intended to address the street children menace and to spot and develop sports talents.
Mr. Quarcoo, who was appointed Vice Chairman/Acting Chairman of GABA for a second term in1998, has been behind the success stories of former World champions like Azuma Nelson, Ike 'Bazooka' Quartey, Alfred Kotey, Ebo Danquah, among others.
He is currently putting together a documentary on Azumah Nelson.
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