D.K Poison: Video of 1st Ghanaian boxer to win world title proving he loaned $45k to Ghana pops up
- A video of Ghanaian boxing legend, David Kotei, popularly known as D.K Poison recounting how he loaned $45,000 (GHC260,100.00) to the Government of Ghana has popped up
- The amount was a cash reward he earned after he defeated Fuku Yama of Japan
- D.K Poison speaks in the video that has been shared online
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Iconic Ghanaian professional boxing star David Kotei, better known as D.K Poison, was a world-renowned featherweight boxing champion between 1975 and 1976.
On September 20, 1975, D. K. Poison became the first Ghanaian professional boxer to win a world title after he defeated Rubén Olivares in California, United States.
For his reward, the government gave him a house at Teshie-Nungua, in honour of his remarkable feat in boxing.
Born on December 7, 1950, in Accra, Ghana, D. K. Poison began his amateur career in Accra.
He is one of many boxers spawned by Bukom, a suburb in the heart of the city populated by the Ga people.
Many prominent Ghanaian boxers such as Roy Ankrah, Azuma Nelson and Ike Quartey are also products of Bukom.
His first professional bout was on February 5, 1966, in Accra when he outpointed his opponent over six rounds.
Poison became the national featherweight champion that year.
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Although he fought once in neighbouring Togo in 1967, all his subsequent fights through to 1971 were all in Ghana.
Among his many bouts and victories was the fight on September 20, 1975, in The Forum, Inglewood, California, United States where D.K Poison thrashed Rubén Olivares to become the first Ghanaian world boxing champion.
For years, the boxing legend and national hero claimed he loaned the Ignatius Kutu Acheampong led administration an amount of $45,000 (GHC260,100.00), a cash award he earned after defeating Fuku Yama of Japan.
The government of Ghana was so broke at the time that they had to borrow his money to purchase canned mackerel to mitigate the harsh conditions the country was facing then.
In 2019, DK Poison appealed to President Akufo-Addo to sanction the reimbursement of the $45,000 (GHC260,100.00) borrowed from him by the Government of Ghana.
A video shared by GHANA FACTS & HISTORY has D.K Poison recounting his story with evidence about how he loaned his money to the Ghana government at the time.
In other stories, Princess Ewurabena Pokou, born between 1700 and 1720 in Kumasi, Ghana, was Queen and founder of the Baoule tribe in West Africa, now Ivory Coast.
According to ghanaianmuseum.com, Queen Pokou ruled over a branch of the powerful Ashanti Empire as it expanded westward.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
