Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe vs Samuel “Ring Warrior” Takyi: The Banter, The Brawl, The Catharsis.

5 Min Read

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Bronze winner Samuel ” Ring Warrior “Takyi was involved in a verbal combat on social media, which escalated into a brawl, with the camp of Former IBO lightweight world champion Emmanuel “Game Boy” Tagoe. 

 The genesis of this ruckus and fracas was when Samuel Takyi during a live session on his social media pages, called out all elite 135ers in Ghana; a star-studded list including former world champions Richard Commey and Emmanuel Tagoe, not forgetting two-time WBO Africa champion Sheriff Quaye. 

But Emmanuel Tagoe, once handled by manager and agent Peter Kahn and one of very few boxers to travel the distance with Ryan Garcia, didn’t take the challenge lightly. He quickly joined the live session and a war of words ensued.

 The Verbal Banter 

 Tagoe was spitting venom and for a while, Takyi tried to massage his ego; succumbing to his ( Tagoe’s seniority).

 Tagoe wondered how a kid like Takyi would call him out and pointed out that Takyi once idolised him and he has voice messages to prove it.

 ” I don’t even know your phone number. I’ve never called or messaged you. In which year was this? You probably don’t realise it’s Samuel Takyi you’re talking to right? Takyi blurted out.

 ” I’ll prove it for everyone to see. I’m not going to box you in the ring but I’ll deal with you anywhere I lay hands on you.

Takyi dared Tagoe to release the evidence. 

 He then threw caution to the wind, ” I was trying to show you respect as a senior but now I’ve had enough of your threats. I’m also a ” Ga” native, born in Atukpai.

( Atukpai is one of the clans of the Ga people in Accra, Ghana’s capital city. Atukpai is not far from Bukom, the suburb that has produced Ghana’s 11 world boxing champions.)

 Tagoe subsequently released an audio dating back to 4 years ago, with Takyi hailing Tagoe as a senior and a champion. 

Physical Confrontation 

In the aftermath of this, some fans of Emmanuel Tagoe pounced on Samuel Takyi whilst the latter was training at the Bukom Boxing Arena gymnasium.

 The scuffle was so intense that police personnel had to intervene.   Peace was then restored after Samuel Takyi was made to render apologies to Emmanuel Tagoe.Â

Facts

 It’s the norm in boxing for fighters to call out each other; it’s boxing culture. And mostly the verbal exchanges, arguments and boasting help build up euphoria ahead of the actual showdown. 

 Muhammed Ali ” The Greatest ” employed this nuance to his utmost advantage. 

 That’s how matchmakers, agents and promoters spot prospective PPV hits.

  Does seniority matter in boxing?

 Oscar De La Hoya beat up his idol Julio Cesar Chavez, Manny Pacquiao demolished Oscar and later whispered to him,” You’re still my hero regardless “.

 Muhammad Ali mentored Larry Holmes but we all know what happened. 

The callouts can be done irrespective of one’s rank, pedigree or popularity. 

 Of course, most elite boxers and promoters are more interested in known names, ticket sellers, crowd pullers and cash cows, but that doesn’t prevent boxers the freedom to call out whoever they want. 

In reality, not every call-out ends in an actual bout, anyway…

Conclusion 

 Physical assault outside of the ring is a crime in every jurisdiction among all citizens including boxers

Hence, it’s never a way to resolve issues. 

If it ever gets made, a fight between Samuel Takyi and Emmanuel Tagoe would be one to behold. 

But in the interim let peace and decorum hold sway.

 Long live Ghana Boxing. 

By Samuel Opoku Amoah

Share this Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *