In March 2022, Hexagon Industries Limited, the manufacturer of De-Luxy Paint, was announced as the official title sponsor of the Ghana Professional Boxing League (GPBL), which launched in December 2021 and began its inaugural season in February 2022. This significant partnership, formalized through a press release, renamed the league the De-Luxy Professional Boxing League, marking a new era for professional boxing in Ghana. The agreement covers both Season 1 and Season 2 of 2022, culminating in the finals on Boxing Day, December 26, 2022, at the Bukom Boxing Arena in Accra.
Strategic Alliance with Global Ambitions
De-Luxy Paint, a trusted Ghanaian brand with over 30 years of operation, aims to leverage this sponsorship to enhance its visibility while aligning with the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA)’s goals of globalizing the sport. The press release highlighted the partnership as part of a broader strategic vision, emphasizing values of positivity, inclusion, and equality. The De-Luxy Professional Boxing League will engage audiences through bi-weekly live TV broadcasts on Max TV, social media, and digital platforms, ensuring fans are connected before, during, and after each Fight Night. This multi-platform approach aims to elevate the league’s profile and showcase Ghanaian boxing talent to a global audience.
Boosting the League’s Profile
The sponsorship, which began in March 2022, consolidates a relationship between De-Luxy Paint and the GBA, with hopes of a long-term commitment. The partnership enhances the league’s operations, organized by Imax Media Promotions and sanctioned by the GBA, with additional support from sponsors like Imax Electronics, Max Buy, Techno, TCL, Niche Cocoa, Renault, TT Brothers, and Eddy’s Pizza. The De-Luxy Professional Boxing League has drawn significant attention, with events like Fight Night 19 on December 10, 2022, featuring thrilling bouts such as Eric Asante vs. Azumah Mohammed and Michael Abban vs. Akimos Annan Ampiah, promising to captivate fans.
Impact on Ghanaian Boxing
The De-Luxy sponsorship provides critical financial and promotional support, enabling the league to showcase top talents like Charles Tetteh, who faced John Quaye in the Season 1 finale, and emerging juvenile boxers such as Marvellous Mohammed Ablor and Prince the Buzz Larbie. The GBA’s president, Abraham Kotei Neequaye, praised the league’s impact, noting its ability to fill the Bukom Boxing Arena and elevate Ghanaian boxing to new heights. The partnership also aligns with the GBA’s objective to globalize the sport, as seen in events like the WABU Super Featherweight Championship bout between Loren Japhet and Tadja Woli Imoru during Fight Night 13.
A Bright Future for the League
The De-Luxy Professional Boxing League has been hailed as a groundbreaking initiative, with Imax Media Promotions earning commendations for organizing the first professional boxing league of its kind globally. The sponsorship has facilitated high-quality production, including live broadcasts and entertainment featuring musicians like Adote Tetor and Nero X. With De-Luxy Paint’s backing, the league aims to continue its success, with plans for an awards night to honor contributors and recommendations for improvements, such as increasing the number of rounds and tightening security for future seasons. This partnership positions De-Luxy Paint as a champion of Ghanaian sports and culture, fostering a legacy of excellence in boxing.
