Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey has made history as Ghana’s first female world boxing champion, cementing her legacy in the country’s rich boxing tradition.
Quartey’s journey into boxing began in the streets of Jamestown, one of Accra’s oldest and most historic neighborhoods. At 28, she now stands alongside Ghanaian boxing legends such as Azumah “The Professor” Nelson, Bukom Banku, and Ike Quartey. However, unlike them, she had to fight more than just opponents in the ring—she battled societal expectations and gender norms.
Her path to the sport was unexpected. While selling rice with her aunt, she would play football with boys in her neighborhood until her brother, also a boxer, encouraged her to train with him on weekends. Not everyone in her family was supportive—her aunts and siblings often begged her coach to dissuade her from pursuing boxing. “They hadn’t seen a woman boxing before,” she said. “But thankfully, my coach encouraged me, and now I am a professional boxer.”
In November, Quartey achieved a historic milestone, winning the WIBF World Super Bantamweight title after defeating British boxer Sangeeta Birdie at the Bukom Boxing Arena. Her victory was more than a personal achievement—it was a moment of national pride. Her coach, Ebenezer “Coach Killer” Adjei, emphasized the significance of her win. “Her title is a big deal for her. And for the gym, the community, the nation of Ghana, Africa, and the world at large. It is not easy to win such a title, and no woman from Ghana has ever done it before.”
For Quartey, winning a world title is about more than personal glory—it’s about opening doors for other women in boxing. “There were women in boxing before me, but they were not allowed to travel outside Ghana,” she said. “I became the first woman boxer to travel outside Ghana with the Black Bombers (Ghana’s National Boxing Team), and now I am the first lady to win a world title for Ghana.”
Her success has already inspired young female boxers in Ghana. Perpetual Okaijah, an 18-year-old aspiring boxer, says Quartey’s journey resonates with her. “They didn’t support me in the beginning because I was the only female in the family who liked boxing. They kept telling me to go and work instead, saying, ‘You are a woman, you can’t box.’ But I kept going, and eventually, they had no choice but to support me.”
Sarah Lotus Asare, a boxing coach and project lead for the Girls Box Tournament, believes Quartey’s win marks a turning point for women’s boxing in Ghana. “Even for male boxers, it’s difficult to win against non-Africans because they have more resources and equipment,” Asare said. “So Quartey’s victory is such an inspiring story, and we are really happy for her.”
Despite the challenges, Quartey remains determined to break more barriers in women’s boxing. With her title belt proudly displayed, she serves as a role model for young women hoping to step into the ring. Her journey proves that with resilience and determination, obstacles can be overcome. As she continues to train and inspire others, Abigail Kwartekaa Quartey is not just Ghana’s first female world boxing champion, she is a trailblazer for generations to come.