The 24-year-old who turned pro just two years ago just dismantled a world-ranked contender in front of legends. Is Ghana about to crown its next world champion?
Bukom was shaking.
On Saturday night, September 19, at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra, Theophilus Kpakpo “Theo Lopez” Allotey dropped Argentina’s Facundo David Garcia in the opening round and never looked back — sweeping all three scorecards 120–107 in a WBA super flyweight world title eliminator.
It was dominance. Pure, disciplined, frightening dominance.
Allotey wasted little time asserting his authority, dropping Garcia in the opening round and immediately putting the Argentine under pressure. By the sixth, he was close to a stoppage after unleashing a powerful barrage that left Garcia visibly shaken. A sharp right hook in the 10th rocked him again. Another sustained attack in the 11th left him wobbling. Garcia, to his credit, survived to the final bell. He never had a chance on the cards.
In the front row, two ghosts of Ghana’s glorious past watched intently — legendary former world champions Azumah Nelson and Ike “Bazooka” Quartey. Quartey himself was being honoured by the WBA on the night. You could see it in their eyes: recognition. They’ve seen this before. They know what a future champion looks like.
Two Years. Five Belts. Zero Doubt.
Consider this: Theophilus Kpakpo “Theo Lopez” Allotey stands potentially 12 rounds away from transforming a remarkable two-year professional rise into a world-title opportunity.
He only turned professional in July 2024.
In just over two years, the Legacy Rise Sports and Wisdom Boxing Gym protégé has already captured five titles, including the Ghana National, UBO Africa, WBO Africa, WBO Global and WBA Africa Gold belts.
Last December, he announced himself on the global stage, beating higher-ranked Filipino Jayr Raquinel to claim the WBO Global title at the University of Ghana Stadium. In June 2025, he battered Daniel Gorsh to win the WBO African Bantamweight title. Now undefeated in 15 fights, he holds the WBO Africa Super Flyweight title as well as the WBA Africa, UBO Africa and Ghana national titles.
It’s a résumé most fighters need a decade to build. Allotey built it in 26 months.
“It’s My Life, It’s My Ambition”
Allotey doesn’t talk like a prospect. He talks like a man who has already seen the future.
“I am ready, fully ready, because I always stay ready,” he said before the Garcia fight. “I always say to myself I don’t have to get a fight before I get ready.”
“Everything that I do, I put in a lot of work with a clear target,” he added. “I always wanted to be a world champion. It’s my life, it’s my ambition.”
That mindset showed against Garcia. The 24-year-old controlled much of the contest with sharp combinations, disciplined defence and intelligent movement, leaving Garcia struggling to match his pace and precision.
When Garcia tried to turn it into a brawl, Allotey responded with effective footwork, speed and defensive awareness, frustrating his opponent’s attempts to land clean punches.
He is not chasing knockouts. “I’m prepared for 12 rounds. If the knockout comes, I will grab it,” he said. “One punch can always make a difference in this sport.”
The Final Door
The win over Garcia — who sat at No.10, five places above Allotey’s No.15 in the WBA rankings — was a final eliminator. Victory potentially opens the door to a crack at WBA champion David Jimenez.
That is the dream that has carried Ghanaian boxing since Azumah Nelson first wrapped the green belt around his waist. Now, in a cramped gym in Bukom, a quiet 24-year-old is carrying it again.
He vowed to “go all out” — and he did. Allotey’s emphatic victory in the WBA eliminator marks a significant milestone in his pursuit of a world championship opportunity.
Ghana, get ready. Your rising star is no longer rising. He has arrived.
