After a four-year hiatus from the ring, former IBF bantamweight champion Joseph "King Kong" Agbeko has officially announced his retirement from boxing.
The 44-year-old Ghanaian boxing legend revealed his decision in an exclusive interview with BoxingScene, marking the end of a storied career.
Agbeko's last fight took place in 2020, where he secured a fifth-round TKO victory over Albert Commey in Accra, Ghana. Reflecting on his career, Agbeko stated:
"Boxing is a sport where nobody has to retire you. You have to retire yourself because it’s a sport that you either give or take. When you begin to feel the pain of punches, then you’ve to know that your body can’t take it anymore."
Agbeko’s retirement caps off a remarkable career that saw him become Ghana’s fifth world champion, following in the footsteps of legends like Azumah Nelson and Ike Quartey. He first captured the IBF bantamweight title in 2007 by defeating Nicaragua’s Luis Alberto Perez, a title he successfully defended twice before eventually losing it to Colombia’s Yonnhy Perez. Agbeko regained the IBF belt in a rematch, but his reign as champion ended after back-to-back losses to Mexico’s Abner Mares in 2011.
Despite his accomplishments, Agbeko faced frustration in his later years, particularly with the WBO, which he accused of stalling his career despite his top-three ranking. Unable to secure another world title shot, Agbeko has now shifted his focus to mentoring the next generation of Ghanaian fighters.
Agbeko is currently dedicating his time to developing young talents, including Theophilus Allotey, a former member of Ghana's national amateur boxing team, and amateur light heavyweight Benedict Badu.
"I’m into mentorship of young boxers. Guiding young, juvenile, and amateur boxers into reaching their full potential and making sure that they’re able to achieve their dreams."
Image Credit: Thompson Boxing Promotions