Joshua Quartey: A Rising Star with a Noble Cause [1.13]

Joshua Quartey is a Ghanaian professional boxer with a strong amateur background. Raised in a boxing family, he excelled in the amateur ranks, winning national titles and representing his country at international tournaments.

After a brief setback due to COVID-19, Quartey turned pro in 2022 and has quickly built an impressive record. Now ranked highly in Ghana and Africa, he aims to become a world champion, particularly the WBC belt.

Beyond boxing, Quartey's dedication to helping orphans and underprivileged individuals reflects his personal journey and commitment to giving back to his community.

02:03 - Boxing Family Background 
02:53 - Successful Amateur Career  
03:47 - Turning Professional 
04:33 - Current Professional Record 
04:59 - Signed with US Promotion 
16:13 - Upcoming US Debut 
18:19 - Aspirations Beyond Boxing

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/892139

Transcript

Another big hype podcast and I have a very special guest for you today all away from Ghana joining me the Lion King Joshua Quartey. How are you doing Josh? I'm doing great how about you? Mate I am very well thank you so much Raskin it is so good to see your face and catch up with you it's been a while a few months since we last saw each other yeah yeah yeah yeah I think it was a mate made into info yeah this is it yeah your call we were we were chatting away when that one yeah yeah yeah when you gave me the opportunity to come and witness my first fight in the yoho Batman Green thank you so much for the opportunity mate it's my absolute pleasure to do that for you mate so it's the home of British boxing and if you want to be anything in British boxing I think you need to come along and have a little look around that beautiful venue so well so what's so what's happening with you at the moment okay so the last time we met I told you I had to come back to Ghana to you know have some couple of fights and build my record and things going so well I'm not wrong number two in Ghana and seventh in Africa I'm sorry Josh it's getting out a bit in and out mate it's cutting in and out a little bit I'm not sure how much we got that but so you're ranked second now in Ghana yes you say seventh in Africa as well yeah I'm ranked seventh in Africa now middleweight yeah in the middleweight division mate that is yeah super that is awesome so thank you how did it all begin for you I mean you understand me you went back home you've gone back to Ghana and you're doing some bits there but how did you start in boxing how did you get involved in boxing oh okay If I start, 

I come from a boxing family. I don't know if most people know about I .T. Bazooka Kwate, he fought against Delawey I think in 1996 or so, and he's my uncle. So we come from a boxing, I come from a boxing family, and where I was raised, I was raised in the midst of lions, you know. 

Talking about my big brothers, Mohammad Akron, Prinjal Akron, Musa, Ramallah, Sen, Suleiman, Teteh, like all those names are, you know, very respected names in Ghana boxing, as at the moment. So I grew up with such kind of great athletes, so that's how my boxing journey began. 

Through them, I was able to start from the juvenile level. I was able to win some good number of national championship. I've been multiple times Ghana national champion. I was able to represent my country at the Commonwealth Games in Australia. 

I've represented my country and so many international tournaments. That was my amateur background. Then I got the opportunity to become a pro professional. I've had some quite a number of good fights. 

My first professional outing was to be in May in the UK. Unfortunately an uncertainty happened and my fight was cancelled. I was the main event when Sherif Lawa lost his life. I don't know if you can remember the event this year. 

It was quite a shock for us here in the British boxing. It was very hard time. That was to be my first international outing as a professional boxer, but unfortunately it didn't happen. I came back to Ghana and started building myself again. 

God has been so good. I had some quite a number of fights. I got ranked in the world. I got ranked very well in Ghana. I was able to get a promotional contract from critical talent agency and the ace for promotions which are based in the United States. 

and you know I'm really working on getting to the top you know I want to make my name for myself in my country as well I want to be a world champion so that's what I'm working on. You've answered all my questions already I've even asked them. 

Let's just rewind a little bit rewind a little bit go back to your amateur days you competed for national championships in Ghana Yes. Commonwealth Games in Australia. Yeah. What year was that? What year was that? 

It was in 2018. It's not that long ago really it was only a few yeah a couple of years ago six years ago so yeah how did how did you get on what was it like boxing in Australia I mean it's got to be you know it's different from what you were used to I suppose in that can for some sort of capacity Like, I would say it's a very, very eye -opener for me because that was my first international outing. 

Although, you know, apart from bouting, most of this was African countries, you know. I've thought a lot of African countries, but being in Australia was like an eye -opener because the crowd, like the competition itself, people you are going to meet, you know, it was very enormous and, luckily for me, I met one of the best in the world at that time as my first opponent. 

So it was a very, very tough competition for me, but it's, let me say, it was a stepping stone for me to, you know, see how the international world, boxing world is like. So, yeah, it was good for me and I met the likes of Johan Blake, Usain Bolt, you know, all these top top stars were all there. 

So it was a very, very, like, great opportunity for me to him, I had, because the people have been seeing on the TV, Internet and stuff, yeah, which means I can also do whatever they are doing. So, yeah. 

And what was, I mean, you obviously, you were in camp with all the other athletes and everything else. What else was going on around you at that time? I mean, was it an opportunity to see some of what else was going on or was it just on the focus? 

You know, we talked to quite a few different amateurs in this programme and we've covered quite a lot of different competition like this or the Olympics. What's the difference for being involved in just like a box cap here in the box cap or a championship at home? 

Yeah, like it's it's it's a very, very great opportunity that it's not everyone who's going to get that. So, me being able to get the opportunity was a very big blessing to me because when I was a little kid I've been seeing most of these athletes making names for themselves and although I knew I wanted to be a boxer but I never imagined myself getting closer to that people so that alone was a big motivation for me and that tournament has opened a lot of opportunities for me in my performance, 

in how people see me. It was a game changer for me because after that game I came back to Ghana and I was able to win another national championship. I was able to go to the Olympics, qualifiers, African championships, like you know Because of that tournament, it's you know, it gives me another another like another sense Another another eggs. 

Yeah another level. Yeah, so anytime I'm fighting that my opponent here I see them as no they are no near near me because where I've seen people that I've been in Boxing like they are nowhere near to them so they can never beat me and I still have that confidence in me and I I was able to represent Ghana to what a 22 tomorrow games in Birmingham right, okay, yeah yeah, so Birmingham was my first time coming to the UK and That too, 

you know a lot of a lot of the big big stars came there You know, yeah, we do things that I was imagining like what I can't do and stuff like I saw it all You know all this my mature background has really really made a lot of impact to me So I'll say a very very big big thanks to the almighty and also a very big thanks to my Team here who really helped me not much or my coach. 

Dr. For a sorry Coach Vincent, I think we just lost a little bit there mate, but don't don't panic about it. It's okay So the amateur background pedigree, it's a pedigree as you say representing Ghana at multiple Different levels and different or different events and tournaments that are taking place as well So that was stead you in good place that obviously stood you in good place What will happen? 

Obviously the decision to turn pro what how did that come about? Okay, so I wanted to make it To the Olympics, but unfortunately, you know, I couldn't make it in the Afghan qualifiers, but I had another opportunity for the word qualifies. 

But unfortunately, the COVID, COVID at that time didn't make it possible for us to go to the word qualifies. So I couldn't make it. So I had, you know, it was a very, very big blue, blue for me. But as the saying goes, whatever happens, life must go on. 

So I got myself together, you know, I sat down with my coach, Dr. Foyo and quite good people around me. And we decided to 10 pro. Yeah, so before our 10 pro, I came to the UK for a training camp, prepared myself. 

I can say the UK has been very, very good to me in my professional career, because that's where I've been having most of my of my Training comes and I wish I wish like I would have gotten a promoter there who would like to work with me But I think they didn't go that way because maybe that time my record was in the up. 

So I understand but I'm I'm planning I'm planning off, you know having another training come there. Maybe hopefully next month. Yeah So So We'll look at we'll come to the next month in the end thing But let's just quickly go over your your professional records so far. 

I mean you're 8 -0 untreated Seven knockouts from those eight wins as well You know seven stoppages rather than just knockouts, but I mean you're doing it in good fashion Early on in some of the bouts as well stopping them in the second the third even the first round stoppage as well against You Sorry, yeah, I got it wrong and I'm gonna ring an answer I'm supposed to say these things, right? 

I mean stopping him in the first there. I mean You're obviously you've obviously got it a strong hand in there as well when you're up against these opponents And I mean they're not pushovers in any shape or shape or form these guys. 

No so What was your what's been the highlight so far of your professional career? I Okay, so I think Professor professional boxing If I knew earlier like how that I would add like 10 professional, you know much much earlier because you know Like professional boxing is more of like a self self -employed business So whatever you are doing you are doing for your own self Mm -hmm. 

So what what I'm going I'm going to say is like the professional Boxing has really really made me, you know, I understand some more much aspect of life and how you have to like be accountable for whatever you are doing because it's not like the amateur that you are going for only three rounds whatever you do outside the ring is going to show, is going to show as a professional because it's going a long way, 

it's going a long way I remember, was it in my fourth professional fight, we went the distance and you know that guy was a very very strong guy although technically I was way above him but he was very strong and he keeps coming and he keeps coming so that alone made me like I understood that what most of these world champions are saying now, your outside the ring life is what is going to show whenever you are inside the ring So life as a professional boxer has really taught me a lot and you know, 

I'm so happy. I'm so happy for the new transformation of me. Yeah So where we are right now as you've really alluded to it at the beginning of the program You've signed with a US based promotion Yes, do some shows over there as well. 

So that's going to start the International We did try and do something for you in the UK. Unfortunately, it didn't come about as you as you said there earlier So so what what's the aspiration then from signing with the American promotions? 

okay, okay, so My aspiration was you know, they American promoters, you know, they gave me some a plan that they have for me In getting to the top Yeah, so I think The plan that they spoke to me about and what they want So my aspiration was you know, I want to get to the top as soon as possible Because the American promoters told me a lot that they can do for me and When I saw the contract that they brought on board it was good for me So it really inspired me to to to to to sign with them. 

So that's that's vision. Yeah, I wanted to get to the top Yeah So when when can we likely see you out for your first bout in America? Okay, so probably it would be in January Okay, so not far away then it would be in January Yes, enough not far away then. 

Yeah, I'll be coming for another training camp in the UK. Hope next month God willing. Yeah, good Excellent. Well, we like we love having you back and if you're around him and I can help in any way way let me know as I said to you before so Josh just go in obviously you said you were raising to the top and the cream will always rise to the top what what is your aspiration is it to get that world championship yeah sure any particular one because obviously we've got a few different sanctioning bodies but is there one that sticks out for you that you want that's the green one the red one the black one whatever okay so me personally I really like love the greens but any of them that will come I will appreciate it I really love the greens the BBC a very diplomatic answer WC the WBO yeah they both they're all good belts let's be honest and the more belts you can collect the better I guess is what you're gonna say to me as well oh yes yes that's true yeah I love them green so I can't wait to get to that top level Be undisputed, 

like, uh, at a better beach. Yeah. It was a great fight that they had the other month. Yeah. I want to be. Um, so, um, you know, anyway, moving, moving on, then once we've, once we've done what we want to do within boxing, you've got the goals, you've got the medals, you've got all of those things in the trophy cabinet. 

What's Joshua going to do? What's he going to do? Have you thought about what you're going to do? Okay. So, uh, I'm on, I'm on. Okay. So I'm an orphan, like I, I lost my mom and I lost my parents very early. 

So like, uh, my plan is to, you know, be able to make some good money, help orphans and the less privileged people and also, you know, you know, make some, some good money for myself. Like my, my main objective is to like, you know, help humanity. 

Because if it was not for people, like my people who helped me, my close relatives who helped me as, as, as an orphan, I don't know where my life would be at now. So I just want to be successful and help the less privileged people. 

That's, that's my main here. Seriously. That's my main here. I just want to help people. That's a very noble a mate and something that I've not yet before. So, um, thank you for sharing that. I really appreciate taking time out to, to share that with us as well. 

Thank you so much. I didn't realize that. So I've learned, I've learned a little bit about you as well today, Josh, as well. So, um, so yeah, so that's very thing. And then obviously you'd like to give back to the community as much as you possibly can, I guess, from what you're saying there as well. 

That's very noble and very honorable thing to do. So wish you every success with every success that you do with the ring. We look forward to seeing you in America. I look forward to seeing you on the TV, but I also look forward to seeing you first in the UK. 

And we can have a catch up in a coffee and maybe watch a few bouts together. That would be awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you. Before we wrap it up, there is a tradition on the podcast where I just run through some very either or questions. 

It's quite simple. So I'm just going to do that with you and you're going to take it home and see what you say. So are you more Southport or Orthodox? Orthodox. Other dogs. Body shots or head shots? Body shots. 

Train alone or with a partner? I love training with a partner. Early bird or night owl? Early bird. Heavy bag or speed bag? I love the heavy bag. No one likes a speed bag, no one knows. Underdog or favorite? 

I love being an underdog. Whenever I'm the favorite, it's like a lot of tension is on me. I love being the underdog Boxing gym or outdoors? A boxing gym The short powerful punches or the long tactical punches? 

I think short powerful punches Fight dirty or fight clean? Is that? Fight dirty or fight clean? Fight clean in any day Loud crowd or the quiet atmosphere? Ah a loud crowd I love the crowd though I love it but I love being the underdog in the lots of crowd yeah Quick knockout or strategic win? 

I think that's it Quick knockout I mean seven knocks seven KOs out of eight fights I mean it's kind of kind of a given a hypothetical question if this fight was to take place who would you go for AJ or Tyson Fury? 

I think Tyson Fury all day Tyson Fury all day All day I hear you brother I hear you Josh mate thank you again so much I know the signal's been a little bit against us this evening but thank you so much for joining us on the podcast and like I said when you're here in the UK let's catch up we'll have a coffee and we'll have a little chat and I'll pop into your training camp hopefully you can pop up at the show and we'll see each other again but thank you again mate and how could people get in contact with you if they want to follow you? 

You on instagram? Okay so on instagram at lionkin4548 lionkin4548 on instagram and on facebook joshua Awkwardy keep an eye on this guy. He's gonna go places and I really look forward to seeing you as I said And I look forward to seeing the u .s. 

Debut perhaps perhaps they need a UK MC. Maybe who knows Thank you. Thank you. Sorry, if not, I'll fly I I can't wait for you to announce me someday. Mate, that is my dream as well. So absolutely Okay, absolutely Thank you so much mate. 

No, my pleasure. I look forward to seeing you again real soon. Take care. Thank you. You too. You too. Thank you 

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