Some aspiring boxers at training
Bukom, a historic fishing community along the coast of Accra, has for decades stood as the spiritual home of boxing in Ghana — a neighbourhood where generations of fighters have risen from modest gyms to global titles.
The district has produced eight of the country’s eleven world boxing champions, earning it a reputation as Ghana’s undisputed boxing stronghold.
Its narrow streets, seaside training grounds, and tightly knit gyms have long served as both proving grounds and lifelines for young athletes chasing international recognition.
That proud tradition, however, was abruptly shaken in March 2025 following the tragic death of Nigerian boxer Gabriel Aluwasegun Olanrewaju, who collapsed during a bout in Accra.
The incident triggered a nationwide suspension of professional boxing events and prompted the Ghana Boxing Authority to review safety measures and regulatory standards to ensure compliance with international requirements.
The stoppage left many fighters sidelined, cutting off their primary platform to compete, earn purses, and advance their careers.
Trainers, promoters, and gym owners also felt the impact, as regular fight nights — once central to Bukom’s sporting and economic rhythm — disappeared from the calendar.
Photographed between July and August, nearly five months into the shutdown, this project captures the resilience of Bukom’s boxing community — athletes still training, coaches still teaching, and hopeful contenders still stepping into the ring, waiting for the bell to officially sound again.
BY Wletsu Ransford