Ghana’s only medalist (bronze) at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia says he does not feel popular, celebrated or known as a star or celebrity.
Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview at the Bukom Boxing Arena, the former Black Bomber now a Sergeant, with the Ghana Prisons Service said boxing is his life and he believes in himself as a super talented and skilful boxer, but after the 2018 Commonwealth Games things did not go as he expected.
“I should have turned professional long time, but I felt I have to help my country but have not work out as I wanted, I have not lost hope, because I believe all is not lost” said the strong spirited sportsman.
According to Jessie Lartey, a SWAG award winner, when he goes out to public places people do not recognise or know him, and he feels very bad.
Quizzed if it is the cause of the media or Ghana Boxing Federation (GBF), he said “I can’t leave anyone out. I blame the media and the federation because they have to entice the media to appreciate and promote boxing and boxers.
Asked about current state of Ghana Boxing and the missing of Ghanaians at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, he expressed that ” In fact the situation is bad because Ghana should have improved upon the achievement of 2020 in Tokyo because the preparation was poor, the boxers were not camped and there was no attention and supervision. You know as the youth grow, they get different ideas, so the team should have been taken good care of” he expressed.
Now a pro with 5 unbeaten bouts, recording three knockouts, he appealed to interested boxing promoters and managers to grant him opportunity to take big fights as his dream is to become a world champion.
“My idol is Professor Azumah Nelson and I want to prove that after him there are many good boxers from Ghana ” he said.
Jessie Lartey commended and congratulated his employers, Ghana Prisons Service for their support and encouragement to engage in the Ghana Professional Boxing League and other international bouts when the chance comes.
He thanked his trainers at the Prisons team and the enter Sports Office.
He observed that while the amateurs are having problems, the professionals have done good business with the league and other promotions.
“Boxing fans should expect something big from Jessie Lartey because I want to be immortalized as one of the great boxers” he added.
He is named to feature on the November 22 bill, dubbed ‘Ghana Elections, Night of Boxing and Entertainment’ by SEM Promotions and Freezy Macbones Promotions.
Jessie comes from a boxing family as his senior brother, Jerry Lartey of the Ghana Armed Forces is also a boxer. They were brought up and groomed by Ace Coach Lartekwei Lartey of the Fit Square Boxing Gym.