Ike Quartey, Biography

Isufu Ike Quartey, nicknamed Bazooka, is a Ghanaian former professional boxer who appeared in the ring from 1988 to 2006.

He became a household name among fight fans worldwide, carrying the torch of Ghana boxing that was left behind by Azumah Nelson.

Date of Birth

He was born on 27 November 1969

Age

Ike is currently 51 years old

Career

Before becoming a professional, Ike represented Ghana at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 in the Junior Welterweight category.

Ike Quartey became a full-time professional at the tender age of 19 after the Olympics games. Yoofi Bohan, Ghana’s greatest ever trainer and manager, served as his coach and instructor.

Yoofi was the person responsible for Ike’s nickname ‘Bazooka’, and his rise to the top.

• WBA welterweight champion

In his debut, he completely dismantled Mama Mohamed around the second round. Quartey’s 26th professional fight landed him the WBA welterweight championship title.

The bout was memorable, as he knocked out Venezuelan Chrisanto Espana. As a result of his victory, he has successfully defended his title seven times since then.

Alberto Cortes, Oba Carr, and Vince Phillips were some of the seasoned boxers he faced in defending the title.

In October 1997, Quartey took his first break from active boxing.

A health issue and social issues prompted this break. He was stripped of the championship by the WBA because of this break.

• Quartey vs. De La Hoya

In 1999, Quartey returned to the ring when he faced Oscar De La Hoya, the WBC welterweight champion at the time.

There was some controversy surrounding the fight, but De La Hoya triumphed by a narrow margin.

During a subsequent interview, Oscar revealed that for a couple of days following the tough bout, which saw him knocked down twice, he was unable to walk.

• Return to the ring

Quartey took another break, lasting 14 months, after the defeat, and made his comeback in 2000. He fought Fernado Vargas for the IBF light-middleweight championship title.

The match ended in a fair and square loss for Ike Quartey. This forced him to a third break, which lasted for five years. On his return, he won his first three bouts, flooring Clint McNeil, Verno Phillips, and Carlos Bojorquez. That seemed to be his way back to the top.